The New Zealand Craftsman Vol III, No 8 June 16, 1892
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W... BRO. GEORGE F. ROBINSON.
PAST SENIOR GRAND DEACON.
WOR. BRO. GEORGE F. ROBINSON,
PAST SENIOR GRAND DEACON.
ON the 1st August, 1877, Bro. Robinson was initiated in Mount, Egmont Lodge, No. 670, E.G., New
Plymouth. He was Secretary for two years —1878 and 1879 — was invested a Warden in 1880, installed in
1881, had the honour of being re-elected in 1882, and crowned his Masonic labours by installing his
successor.
He is in great request as Installing Master, and has, since 1882, acted nearly every year in that capacity in
Lodges Mount Egmont, 670, E.C. ; Ngamotu, 2053, E,C., now 50, N.Z.C. ; De Burgh Adams, 446, I.C. ; and
Patea Kilwinning, 536, S.C., now 18, N.Z.C.
Bro. Robinson was advanced to the Mark and exalted on the 25th January, 1883, in the Trafalgar Chapter,
157, S.C., Nelson ; was one of the founders of Paritutu Chapter, 196, S.C., and was installed its First
Principal on the 19th June, 1883, by Excellent Companions Dr. Sealy and Dr. Boor, of the Nelson Chapter,
and he had the honour of being also re-elected to this exalted position.
He has held the position of Steward and Junior Deacon in the District Grand Lodge of Wellington, and his
year of office—Senior Grand Deacon of New Zealand—has just expired.
Bro. Robinson is a good ritualist, a firm believer in and strong supporter of Masonic Home Rule, and is
much esteemed by all sorts and conditions of men in Taranaki and other parts of the West Coast of the North
Island.
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SEVERAL subscribers have written asking why we did not publish the statement of assets and liabilities of
Grand Lodge. One writer waxes indignant over the omission, insinuates that we had very good reasons for
keeping it dark," and threatens to stop his subscription " if this is the way we are going to carry on." For the
benefit of those who courteously asked for the information, we may tell them. that we had, and still have, the
very best of reasons for its non publication—a copy of the statement has not yet reached us.
W... BRO. CHARLES SAWYER,
PAST JUNIOR GRAND DEACON.
WOR. BRO. CHARLES SAWYER,
PAST JUNIOR GRAND DEACON.
BRO. SAWYER was initiated on February 8th, 1875, in Leigh Lodge, No, 957, Freemasons' Hall, London ;
was passed to the second degree in April, and raised to the sublime degree in May of the same year.
He took office in the Lodge in May, 1876, and held the respective ,offices of Steward. Junior Deacon, and
Junior Warden. Unforeseen circumstances arising ,he resigned, and became the moving spirit in founding
Sackville Lodge, No. 1619, at East Grinstead, Sussex, his native town. At the consecration of this Lodge he
had the honour of being invested the first Junior Warden, and was installed Worshipful Master on July 2nd,
1878. He was also one of the founders and first Master of Wallington Lodge, No.1892, which was
consecrated at Carsholton, Surrey, on March 17th, 1881. During his connection with this Lodge he stood as
Steward for the Boys' School, and gave the votes thus acquired in perpetuity to the Lodge. The Brethren,
learning of his intended departure from England, summoned a special meeting, entertained him at luncheon,
and presented him with a handsome diamond ring, as some slight recognition of his services and of their
esteem.
Bro. Sawyer has been Preceptor of no less than three Lodges of Instruction in England, and on his resigning
from the East Surrey Lodge of Concord, Croyden, he was invited to the indispensible banquet, and presented
with a marble clock and ornaments.
He left England in July, 1885, and on his arrival ultimately at Invercargill he affiliated to Lodge Southern
Cross, No. 997, E.C., on March 10th, 1887. On July 6th, 1891, the Grand Lodge of New Zealand elected him
to the office of Junior Grand Deacon.
Since joining the Southern Cross, now N.Z.C., it has always been Bro. Sawyer's endeavour to make Brethren
not merely Freemasons in name, but also in spirit. Information or advice—if it lay in his power --was always
readily and courteously given. He is never absent from his place in the Lodge, and has again entered on the
duties of Preceptor. Since the Master of Southern Cross left for Wellington, Bro. Sawyer has become Acting
Worshipful Master, and it is needless to say that he is carrying out his duties as only conscientious men can.
Being a skilled amateur worker in wood, he has, from his own design, and in his leisure hours, made a
beautiful and artistically carved chair, for the use of the Masters of the three Lodges meeting in the
Invercargill Masonic Hall, and he is now busily engaged in making an elaborate pedestal to correspond. This
he also intends to present to the Invercargill Brethren.
A lover of the Craft and a man of high principle, he is held in high estimation by those who have the
privilege of calling him friend and brother.
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THE RITUAL.
“We also recommend that the following be adopted and known as Regulation No. 7 : That hereafter no
Master shall be installed until he shall present to the installing officer a certificate, from the Grand
Lecturer or a Past Master of this jurisdiction, showing his ability to confer the degrees of Masonry in
accordance with our ritual.' " — GRAND LODGE OF ARIZONA.
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"That, hereafter before the W. Master and Wardens elect for any Lodge in this jurisdiction shall be installed,
the M.W. Grand Master shall be satisfied as to their proficiency in the duties of their several stations
in the work of the Lodge, and that the Grand Master is authorised to appoint a committee, of which
the instructor having charge of said Lodge shall be chairman, to examine the aforesaid officers and
furnish him a certificate vouching for their proficiency, and should any such officers fail to quality and
be installed. at least 30 days before the meeting of the Grand Lodge, the then present officers shall
continue to perform the duties of said office until after the next annual election."
— GRAND LODGE OF DELAWARE
____________
"There is, therefore, no doubt that after an examination as close as one can make in a brief visit, the election
to the East of Brethren who are utterly incompetent, not to say indifferent, and who are honoured
either by personal popularity or by persistent canvassing for office, is a primary cause of trouble in
Lodges.
This, followed by the wilful neglect of Boards of Installed Masters, who deliberately violate their duties and
obligations by presenting for installation Brethren, who ofttimes are actually known to the Board to
posssess but the rudiments of the work, is another source from which danger springs, while the rapid
change in office, for which the rising membership craves, relegates a W.M. to .a seat before he has
perfected himself in the Master's work and duty."
— GRAND MASTER OF CANADA.
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"THE Ritual question puts one in a dilemma. To secure uniformity in working, and to give younger officers
an opportunity to work up, a printed Ritual would be a very great advantage, but to accord literally. with our
present obligations, such should not be done. The " Cypher " would, by its inconvenience, cause many to
translate, and thereby defeat its object."
The above extract, from a correspondent's letter, may be taken as an indication of the views held by many of
the younger members upon this question. It is no doubt very inconvenient that the first Masonic
commandment forbids the publication of a work that " would be of very great advantage," and many officers
would doubtless have been better pleased had we not drawn attention to the obligation taken by every
candidate—in every clime—when seeking admission into the fraternity.
This cry for "uniformity" is, we take it, the demand of the "younger officers” aspiring to the chair to be so
instructed that when they reach the goal of their ambition they may fill the position withh credit and dignity.
Satisfy this craving by all means — it is the sign of our development—but do not do it by scattering
broadcast over the land printed copies of the Ritual. Demand of the Brother who aspires to be "a ruler in the
Craft, and ultimately a Past Master of the science, something more than the goodwill of his Brother members
to place him in that coveted position. Demand a proof of his competency in the Ritual work, and that he has
some knowledge of the history and jurisprudence of the institution. Then it may with truth be said of one
installed, under these circumstances, that his advancement was due to his merit and ability.
Some twenty-five years ago, our American Brethren were agitated by this very question. They met the cry,
as we can meet it, by making it compulsory that the Master-Elect should pass an examination before a Board
of Installed Masters, who certified to the Brother's competency or otherwise to confer the three degrees, and
open and close his Lodge. In cases of incompetency, installation was refused, and the old officers worked the
Lodge until the next annual election.
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THERE are still a few Brethren holding the opinion that the Grand Lodge, or, as the London Freemason so
elegantly terms it, " the mushroom body," is not making any progress, and cannot last much longer. For their
information we will briefly state its Lodge strength, and show the majorities which it has, at present, over
"the other side."
Its roll consists of 80 Lodges. This gives a majority of 13 Lodges over the combined strength of the
three British Constitutions.
It has a majority of 39 Lodges over the E.C.
It has a majority of 59 Lodges over the S.C.
It has a majority of 75 Lodges over the I.C.
If the Brethren who have tabled motions to join the National party are successful in carrying their resolutions
into effect, the roll of Grand Lodge will very shortly total up to 100 Lodges. When this is reached, the
strength of the two parties will be as 2 to 1.
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CERTAIN errors and omissions were found in the Book of Constitution when it had left the printers' hands.
To rectify these mistakes there has been issued a slip containing " Errata and Corrigenda." Referring to Rule
9, the slip intimates that the words " Excellent Master " are to be inserted in the regulation after the words "
Past Master." How this is to be done the slip sayeth not, but that some instruction on the point is necessary,
will be at once seen from the following copy of Rule 9 :—
The Grand Lodge of New Zealand recognises the following degrees, and no more, as being pure
ancient Masonry, viz. :—Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason, Mark Master, and the
Holy Royal Arch.
The wording of Rule 16 is now as follows—the words in italics showing the alterations :-
Each Lodge may nominate one of its members, being a Past Master for election as a Grand Steward,
and the Grand Stewards shall be elected from the Brethren so nominated. Such nomination must be
received by the Grand Secretary at least fourteen days before the date of the April Communication of
Grand Lodge in each year. The Grand Master may grant a., dispensation to permit a Master Mason
to be elected Grand Steward,
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IT would be manifestly unfair to draw comparisons between the last balance-sheet of Grand Lodge—which
is for a period of eight months only—and its predecessor for the year ending on the 30th April, 1891.
But there is one item in the Fund of Benevolence that is not affected by the desire of Grand Lodge to close
its accounts at the end of each year, and it is in regard to that item that a little attention may properly be
directed.
It will be remembered that in July, 1891, Grand Lodge, at its first Annual Communication, made a
considerable increase in the number of Grand Officers. Yet, strange to say, the fees received from the lesser
number for their patents of office are shown in the first balance-sheet as amounting to the respectable sum of
£71 9s, whereas, in the present balance-sheet, the Fund of Benevolence only received the sum of £56 14s
from the same source.
It would be well, we think, for some member of Grand Lodge to table a motion requesting information, for
if, as we believe, the Benevolent Fund is suffering from the non-enforcement of Rule 18 of the Constitution,
it is not, we deem, asking too much that drastic measures should be taken.
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EVERY Brother, except a Grand Chaplain, on his first appointment or election to office, has to pay a fee, and
only on payment thereof is he entitled to a patent of office. If he neglect to pay, within three months of his
appointment or election, he is to be deprived of his office, and another elected in his stead, and, further, the
defaulter shall neither have past rank nor be eligible for election to any office in Grand Lodge upon any
future occasion, exempt it shall be otherwise determined by a special resolution of Grand Lodge.
Our old friend Bro. Wundram, of Napier, is the present Grand Superintendent of Works ; but his position is
somewhat peculiar. He is told in one part of the Constitution to pay the fee for his office within three months
after election, or certain pains and penalties will be the result ; in another part he is told that the fee must be
paid before investiture, and another portion of the Constitution informs him that he has no fee to pay. If Bro.
Wundram does not pay the fee, he cannot hold the office. Yet, if he offers one, it cannot be accepted, for the
Constitution neither specifies the amount payable for, nor does it mention his office in the schedule of fees.
There is nothing for it, so far as we can see, but for our old friend to be declared an unwilling defaulter,
deprived of his office, re-elected by special resolution of Grand Lodge, and the process be gone through
again and again, until provision is made in the Constitution for the Superintendent of Works paying a fee or
the office abolished.
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THE Sydney Freemason charged its London namesake with rabid antipathy to colonial Grand Lodges. The
soi-disant organ of the English Craft politely replies that its colonial namesake " is slightly too clever—' too
clever by half,' as the saying is," " spiteful, intemperate, and vulgar." Having thus attempted " to mollify a
journal which resolutely declines to be " thus " mollified," the Freemason turns its attention to this journal
and " the members of the new-born, irregular Grand Lodge of New Zealand." It charges us (the home rule
party) with presumption ; with imagining we represent all the Masonry that exists in the colony ; with
denying the right of an opinion to anybody but ourselves and " the Organ" ; and with ignoring the fact that if
we had a right .to secede, the other side had an equal right to remain true to its allegiance. This is mere
assertion, not argument.
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OUR London contemporary admits that there is a clear and absolute inconsistency between the decision of
the Colonial Board in 1888 and that of the Grand Lodge of England last year, in reference to the rights of the
minority of a Lodge whose majority had transferred their allegiance to another Masonic power. This
admission of inconsistency is made not from a desire to do justice to and deal impartially with the New
Zealand Brethren, but to establish the right of the English Grand Registrar to change his opinions as often as
he sees fit or as expediency demands.
There are, however, two sides to every question, and upon the other side the London journal has been
persistently silent. We do not think that even "the organ of the Craft " would claim a retrospective action for
the legislation of 1891. We contend that it only affects Lodges transferring their allegiance after December
2nd, 1891 ; if this contention is sound, and we think it is, the claim of any English minority prior to that date
to be properly organised and warranted, is a pleasant fiction.
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"REUTER " cabled on the 2nd inst. that :—
Mr Boucat, of Adelaide, responding to the toast of the visitors at a banquet given by the Grand Mark
Lodge of England, said he preferred being subject to the Grand Lodge of England than to a colonial
Lodge.
This is very dreadful, but who is Mr Boucat, of Adelaide ? Well, Bro. James Penn Boucat is the Past Right
Worshipful Deputy Grand Master of the Irish Constitution in South Australia, which Constitution has one
Lodge in that Colony—the Duke of Leinster, No. 363. Bro. Boucat is also a Past Mark Master of the Irish
Constitution. He is not a subject of either the Grand Lodge of England or the Grand Mark Lodge of England.
_______________________________
WE have received a reply to Bro. Snow's letter in our May number. Unfortunately it reached us too late for
publication this month. It is not our intention to take part in the controversy at present.
OUR advertisers will doubtless appreciate the change made in the placing of their advertisements. The North
Island Lodges holding of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, with the list of Grand Officers, are now, and for
the future will be, placed on the first ten pages of the Journal. The South Island Lodges, N.Z.C., together
with those Lodges and Chapters of the three British Constitutions who advertise, will be found on the last ten
pages. The suggestion that we should complete the list of Lodges of the N.Z.C. has been considered, but as it
would entail an increase in our already large monthly expenditure we cannot entertain the proposal. We
have, however, done a little - 'tis as much as we can afford—towards supplying the information, by placing
in their proper order the names and numbers of those N.Z. Lodges who do not advertise.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS
WELLINGTON.
(From our Own Correspondent.)
NEW ZEALAND PACIFIC NO. 2.
THE regular meeting was held on Monday, May 23rd—W.M. Bro. H. B. Bridge presiding. The terribly
stormy weather was responsible for a small attendance of members and visitors. Mr. F. Weston was put to
the ballot, elected, and initiated. The balance-sheet for 1891 was the subject of some discussion, and P.M.'s
W. D. Lyon and H. J. Freeman were appointed to confer with the directors of the Freemasons' Hall Co. re the
item " Furniture."
An interim report from the Jubilee Celebration Cornmitt was submitted, and a notice of motion for the "
allocation of £35 from the Trust Fund " was given. The Lodge was closed at 9.45, and subsequentliy a
pleasant hour was spent in social Masonic converse at the supper tab
LEINSTER NO. 44.
An emergency meeting was held on Monday, the 6th inst. In the absence of the W.M., Bro. Bulford, through
illness, P.M. Coveney occupied the chair. There was a good attendance of members and visitors, the latter
including the R.W. S.G. Warden, Bro. R. C. Hamerton. The business included a " passing," and arrange-
ments were completed for the installation on the 24th inst. The W.M.-elect is Bro. F. Silver, J.W., a most
painstaking and deserving officer, whose characteristic energy should make the Lodge boom during the
ensuing year. It is expected that a " strong " Grand Lodge will assist at the installation ceremony.
WELLINGTON, 1521, E.C. ,
Held an emergency meeting on Tuesday, 7th inst.—Bro. Thos. Larchin, W.M., presiding. Arrangements
were made for the installation of Bro. W. F. Roydhouse, as W.M., on the 17th inst.
WATERLOO ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER, N.Z.
There was a large attendance of Companions at the regular Convocation of this Chapter, held in the Masonic
Hall, Boulcott street, on Friday, 3rd inst. M.E. Comp. H. J. Williams, Z., presided, supported by M,E. Comp.
H. J, H. Eliott as H., and E. Comp. Harry Tyer as J,
Two Brothers were advanced to the Mark and Excellent degrees, and one exalted to the R.A. The nomination
of officers for the ensuing year resulted in a most satisfactory list. Fees to the Supreme Grand Chapter of
New Zealand were passed, and new collars and jewels were ordered to be procured. The Chapter was closed
in regular form at 11.0 p.m. This Chapter is having a booming year both as to quantity and quality, and at its
close in September next the " biggest record" will be laid before the Chapter in actual figures.
RANGITIKEI, NO. 38, BULLS-INSTALLATION OF BROTHER F. HOWARD.
The installation of W.M. and investiture of officers was held in the Masonic Hall, Bulls, Rangitikei, on
Wednesday, the 8th inst. There was a good attendance of members, and Feilding, No. 41 (in spite of the
inclement weather), contributed five visitors. The Lodge having been opened in the first degree, the R.W.
Grand Superintendent of Wellington (Bro. H. J. Williams) was announced, and received with Grand honours.
A ballot was then taken for two candidates, proving successful in each case. The Lodge was then handed
over to P.M. Thos. King, who at once proceeded with the ceremony of installation, and must be
congratulated on the success of his efforts. Bro. C. W. Maclean, P.M., made an efficient D. of C., and the G.
Superintendent presented the working tools in each degree. The following Brethren are the newly installed
officers :—T. Flower, J.P.M. ; F. Howard, W.M. ; C. E. Nicholas, S.W, ; R. C. Edwards, J.W. ; T. Munro,
P.M., Treasurer ; T. King, P.M., Secretary ; W. J. Richards, S.D. ; W. R. Wilson, J.D. E. Powell, I.G. ; and F.
Webb, Tyler.
The Lodge being closed, the Brethren adjourned to the supper room, where an excellent repast was done
justice to. The following toasts were duly honoured :- " The Queen and the Craft," " The Grand Lodge of
New Zealand," " The Newly-Installed Master," " Visiting Lodges," " The Installing Officer," " The J.P.M,
and D. of C.," and the Tyler's toast. In responding to the toast of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, the Grand
Superintendent gave the Brethren an interesting half hour, and was most enthusiastically received. P.M.
Thomas King said Lodge Rangitikei had never received a visit from a D.G. officer since its institution, but it
was now evident the Lodge would receive a fostering care at the hands of Grand Lodge, and he was sure
much good would result from the visit of the Grand Superintendent. A most enjoyable meeting was brought
to a close at 12.0 p.m.
INSTALLATIONS.
The following are the fixtures for June :—Ulster, No. 62 (Petone), 15th ; Leinster, No. 44, 20th ; Greytown,
No. 74, 24th.
Great preparations are being made for the Feilding installation, which eventuates on the 11th July. Its
members are extremely popular, and attendances of visitors are always large ; it is anticipate I that at least six
Lodges in the district will be largely represented.
THE JOINING OF RUAHINE, NO. 2178, E.C.
Ruahine (late No. 2178, E.C.), on Tuesday, 7th inst., finally decided to transfer its allegiance to the Grand
Lodge of New Zealand. I am informed a number of members of the Manawatu Kilwinning, No. 47,
Palmerston North, paid a visit, and were right royally received, being most hospitably entertained from their
arrival at the station till their departure next morning. Practical Masonry ! I tender hearty good wishes to
Ruahine, and feel sure it will have no occasion to regret the step taken.
HUMILITY.
One of the most striking instances of Masonic humility occurred recently. At the election of officers the
S.W.: who, I believe, has filled the position for two years, absolutely refused the most earnest solicitations
for nomination to the chair of K.S. on the ground of unfitness (though the Lodge thought otherwise), and
ultimately elected to be put in nomination for the office of 1.G. ; and, as if resolved not to be out-done, the
J.W , who has long proved himself a most intelligent and thoroughly good officer, likewise refused
promotion, but willingly accepted J.D. The position, in my experience, is quite unique.
THE LATE D. H. MACARTHUR, P.D.G.M.
The news of Bro. Macarthur's death came with a great shock to Wellington Brethren, by whom he had
always been held in the greatest respect and esteem. It was no secret that had he lived he would have
received the unanimous nomination of the District for Grand Master. His funeral was largely attended
Masonically, the Grand Lodge of New Zealand being ably represented in the persons of P.D.G.M. Bro.
Gillon, Grand Supt. Williams, and P.G. Sec. Robertson. Poor Bro. Macarthur, thoroughly unobtrusive and
unostentatious, a gentleman and a Mason in the truest sense !
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SOUTHLAND.
(From our Special Reporter.)
LODGE APARIMA, NO. 77, N.Z.C., (LATE No. 1617, E.C.) RIVERTON.
THE usual monthly meeting of the above Lodge was held on the evening of the 18th May. The Lodge was
opened under the English charter, and all correspondence dealt with, and the Lodge was then formally and
finally closed. It was then opened under the New Zealand Constitution by power of a dispensation granted by
the Grand Lodge of New Zealand.
The Grand Superintendent of Southland, Bro. Hall, then presented the dispensation to the W.M., at the same
time expressing the pleasure he felt in the duty he had performed, and that another Lodge had been added to
the Colonial Constitution. He congratulated the members of the Lodge on the step they had taken, and
wished them every success. He assured them that the Grand Lodge of New Zealand was becoming a factor in
beneficent work, and was doing much good. Its foundation was laid as solid as those everlasting hills which
they viewed from the banks of the beautiful Aparima, from which the Lodge derived its name. He was
convinced they would be proud of being under their new banner.
During the evening one candidate was proposed, and a resolution passed that the English charter should be
sent to the Grand Lodge of New Zealand.
On behalf of the Grand Lodge, the Grand Superintendent tendered hearty good wishes and fraternal
greetings, and wished the newly-elected W.M. a prosperous year. Hearty good wishes were also expressed
by representatives of the Southern Cross, Fortitude, Gore, and Wyndham Lodges.
These were duly acknowledged by the and the Lodge closed in peace and harmony at 10.30 p.m.
The Brethren then adjourned to Patterson's Hotel, where a capital repast was awaiting them, to which full
justice was done, and two hours spent happily in social and Masonic conversation.
This Lodge has had a hard struggle to maintain its status, having been heavily burdened by a debt on the hall,
but this charge has been satisfactorily settled.
They, have also lost a number of members by removal from Riverton, in common with the whole of the
colony. The tide of prosperity, however, has taken a favourable turn, and under the prestige of the New
Zealand Constitution and the hearty and warm assistance they will receive from the Invercargill Lodge, it
may be anticipated that a marked degree of prosperity will be met with, and the Lodge regain the position it
once held, and become one of the bright stars in the N.Z. Constitution. Our most worthy Grand
Superintendent has promised to do all in his power to assist in bringing about that result, and he will be
willingly assisted by the Past Masters and members of other Southland Lodges. During the evening, the
Grand Superintendent was warmly welcomed , and pleasure was expressed at the visit of a representative of
the Grand Lodge. It was stated that had the officers under the English Constitution visited them in the past,
much would have been done in forming a friendship which representative officers could do much to inspire.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
REVIEW.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE
GRAND LODGE OF ANTIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF NEW Z EALAND.—Published by the
authority of the Grand Lodge. Christchurch, March, 1892.
THE author, Bro George R. Hart, a member of No. 4, in his preface, intimates having been entrusted by the
M.W. Grand Master and his officers, with the onerous but honourable task of compiling a history of the
Grand Lodge movement. He gracefully acknowledges the zealous and unselfish labours of Bro. Robertson
whilst acting as Secretary to the Executive of the Wellington Union, and says it has been thought well to
place on record, for the benefit of those who come after us, the circumstances which led to and followed
upon the determination of the Brethren who took an active part in the work of founding a Constitution.
So far as we are in a position to judge, Bro. Hart has faithfully and successfully fulfilled the task entrusted to
him by the then Grand Master, Bro. Thomson, and the Christchurch Executive—the result being a readable,
though somewhat uninteresting narrative, mainly consisting of :—Extracts from the official documents
collected by the Wellington Executive from the branches ; quotations from the speeches of the chairman of
the Union, Bro. Gillon ; an account of the inauguration of the Grand Lodge on April 29th, 1890, and the
ceremony of installation on the following day. The most of it has already been given to the Craft, either
through these pages or the pages of the old Masonic Journal.
That the author did his best with the material at his command, we willingly admit ; that the book is
uninteresting is not his fault. Neither is he to be held responsible for what a northern correspondent styles
"faults of omission and commission ; " but we agree with our correspondent, and think it a pity that proofs
were not sent to those who acted as secretaries to the Unions, or to Brethren capable of revising. Had this
been done, " the grave mistake of not mentioning the sub-committees who practically did all the work, and
introducing the names of those who did so little," would have been avoided.
For some time we have held the opinion, and a perusal of " The Brief History " confirms that opinion—that a
history of the Grand Lodge movement to be authentic, interesting, and of some use to us now, and to those
who come after us, requires the united aid of those who, bearing the heat and burden of the local movements,
are in possession of facts and documents which may, with truth, be styled the real and secret history of the
Grand Lodge movement.
The time for the publication of these facts and documents is not yet. When they are published, they will be
found extremely instructive, and also interesting.
The Grand Lodge of New Zealand would do well, when revising the work for the second edition, to make
alterations on pages 9 and 14. Oamaru is stated to have formed a branch of the Union. That, we think, was
not done ; and it was provided that no alteration of Constitution or Ritual should be adopted until the
Subordinate Lodges have had six months' notice, not " two months' notice," as set forth in " The Brief
History."
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IT has been published that the agnomen of " Brother Jonathan," is of Masonic origin, and, came about in this
way : On one occasion, when the American army had met with some serious reverses, General Washington
called his brother officers together, to consult, in what manner their effects could be best counteracted.
Differing as they did in opinion, the commander-in-chief postponed any action on the subject, by remarking,
"Let us consult Brother Jonathan," referring to Jonathan Trumbull, who was a well-known Mason, and
particularly distinguished " for his sound judgment, strict morals, and having the tongue of good report."—
Tyler,
_______________________________________________________________________________________
GRAND LODGES
NEW ZEALAND.
____
WELCOME TO BRO. THE EARL OF GLASGOW.
The M.W. Grand Master, Bro. Malcolm Niccol, sent a message of welcome upon the arrival of His
Excellency at Wellington :—
[copy.]
" His Excellency the Governor, Lord Glasgow,
Wellington.
" Fraternal greetings and hearty welcome to our shores from the Freemasons of New Zealand.
" Malcolm Niccol,
" Grand Master."
" 6th June, 1892.
_____________________________
JOINED THE FOLD.
Since January eight Lodges have been added to the Grand Lodge roll. The addition of Lodge Ruahine, No.
2178, E.C., Woodville, Hawkes Bay, which gave in its allegiance on the 7th inst., raises the strength to 80
Lodges, and gives an unbroken line of 18 Lodges on the East Coast of the North Island, running from
Wellington to Napier.
_________________________________
THE PRESENT POSITION.
N.Z.C. E.C. S.C. I.C.
G.L. OF
ENG TOTALS
NORTH ISLAND-
Auckland 17 15* 2† 1‡ 35
Wellington 29 6↕ 2¶ 1 38
SOUTH ISLAND-
Canterbury 16 5§ 4 .. 25
Otago and Southland .. 13 5t 12↕ 2 32
Nelson and Westland,
&c. 13 5↕ 1↕ 1 5 17
Grand Totals.. 80 36 21 5 5 147
* Two dormant Lodges—one being a duplicate—not counted.
† Two duplicate Lodges not counted.
‡One dormant Lodge and one duplicate not counted.
§ Two Lodges practically dormant not counted.
↕ One dormant Lodge not counted.
¶ New Lodges.
SUMMARY,
New Zealand has .. .. 80 Lodges
England has .. 41 „
Scotland has .. 21 „
Ireland has.. .. 5 „
Total number of active and regular Lodges in the colony.. 147
_________________________________
THE Freemasons' Chronicle, London, commenting on the appointment of Bro. Letchworth as Grand
Secretary, " ventures to predict the selection will meet with universal approval, as Bro. Letchworth enters
upon his duties with a perfect knowledge of the requirements of the office,"
_______________________________________________________________________________________
CONSECRATIONS
PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY.
THE NEW HALL FOR LODGE AMBERLEY, NO. 2007, E.C.
THE D.G. Secretary, Bro. W. R. Mitchell, forwarded with his compliments the following report :—Tuesday,
May 10th, will be known as a red letter day in the calendar of events connected with Lodge Amberley,
established about 10 years ago. In that period the rites and observances of the Ancient Craft have been
carefully promulgated by earnest and loyal Brethren under certain disadvantages, by reason that the meetings
have been held in temporary premises. But through the kindness of Bro. G. Coleman, who gave a section of
land in Markham Street, and the efforts of the members of the Order, who have subscribed the amount for a
large room, this building has been solemnly dedicated for its special purposes. Outwardly the hall is neatly
finished. Inside it is 20ft x 40ft, with a lobby and retiring room. The interior is decorated and finished in
good taste, the upper part of the walls distempered and coloured light blue, the lower portion being formed of
dadoing in selected New Zealand woods. The furniture is also of the latest improved style, and everything
has been provided necessary for the proper discharge of the business of the Lodge.
At 8 p.m. the Lodge was opened, and the District Grand Master, Bro. P. Cunningham, attended by his
Deputy, Bro. R. D. Thomas, and accompanied by the District Grand Officers, were received with the
honours due to their rank.
Bro. Cunningham, in reply to the invitiation of the W.M., Bro. C. B. Mason, asking him to consecrate the
Lodge, congratulated the Amberley Brethren upon their steady advance, and expressed his pleasure in
complying with the invitation. The Lodge was then duly consecrated by the sprinkling of corn, wine, and oil,
dedicating it to the purposes of Freemasonry. The ceremony throughout was of a dignified and imposing
character, the interest being added to by the musical services rendered by the Organist, assisted by Bros.
Scott, Foster, Just, Grummitt, Wallis, and Cohen, who formed the choir. On the completion of the
consecration ceremony the installation of officers was proceeded with. Bro. W. S. Smith was installed in an
impressive manner by the R.W.D.G.M., in the presence of a Board of twenty-four installed Masters, and was
afterwards saluted by the visitors and mem- bers. The D.G.M. invested the following Brethren :—R. W.
Pemberton, S.W. ; M.E. O'Connell, J.W. ; J. Geddes, Treasurer ; J. F. White, Secretary ; R. Thompson, S.D. ;
A. Black, J.D. ; T. McNaught, D.C. ; R. Johnston, I.G. At the conclusion of the ceremony a hearty vote of
thanks was passed to the R.W.D.G.M. and officers of the District Grand Lodge. An adjournment was then
made to the Crown Hotel, where a banquet was provided by Bro. Lascelles, in a manner which did credit to
this old-established house. Loyal and Masonic toasts were given, and a number of musical selections were
contributed. Next morning, after an early breakfast, the Brethren returned to town by the first train in a
special carriage. Before leaving, Bro. Just in a few well-chosen sentences expressed the thanks of the
members to the D.G.M., which was carried amid applause, and duly acknow- ledged by Bro. Cunningham,
who cordially invited the District Grand officers to accompany him to Winchester on June 24th.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(Advertisement received too late for classification.)
LODGE TARINGATURA, No. 743, S.C.
Founded 1887, meets second Friday in each month, at Masonic Hall, Lumsden, Southland. Installation in
May.
R W M … BRO JOSEPH CROSBIE
W S W … BRO WM ANDERSON
W J W … BRO JOHN REID
Secretary ... BRO GEORGE FREDK. JOHNSON, P.M.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
INSTALLATIONS
PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.
ST. MARK, NO. 53, CARTERTON.
INSTALLATION OF BRO. N. GRACE, P.M., GRAND REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE GRAND LODGE OF NEVADA.
THE annual meeting was held on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 10th. There was a good attendance,
including a number of visitors, and P.M.'s F. H. Wood, Greytown, No. 74, and Aitken, Masterton, No. 19.
The Rev. W. E. Paige M.A., Past Grand Chaplain, officiated as Installing Master, assisted by P.M. Aitken.
After Bro. N. Grace had been duly installed, the following Brethren were invested :—S.W,, T. G. Underhill ;
J.W. W. Moore ; S.D., E. L. Wakelin ; J.D., A. M. Brown ; Treasurer, C. L. Barnard ; Secretary, W. J.
Lindop ; I.G., T. A. Weston ; Tyler G. Bowles. The incidental music was contributect by an orchestra
composed of Bros. Wm. Moore (organ), Wm. McKenzie (violin), T. Proctor (violoncello), and T. A. Weston
(cornet). When the labours of the day had been concluded, and congratulations and good wishes received, the
Brethren adjourned to the Institute, where a repast had been prepared by the members.
After refreshment, the usual toasts were given, and the following Brethren contributed to the enjoyment of
the meeting by songs and recitations :—Bros. Lindop (Secretary), W. B. Smith, T. A. Weston (LG.),
Edwards, W. Moore (J.W.), T. G. Underhill (S.W.), and A. M. Brown (J.D.).
The following evening, the members of the Lodge, together with a few friends, held a " social " in the
Institute, and spent a few hours together most pleasantly, dancing being kept up till the small hours of the
morning.
____________________________
PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY.
KAIKOURA, NO. 60, KAIKOURA.
INSTALLATION OF BRO. H. J. SANDFORD,
THE annual meeting was held in the Masonic Hall, Kaikoura, on Thursday, May 12th.
By request of the M.W., Bro. Thomson, Past Grand Master, the ceremony was performed by Past Master
Bro. Caleb Smith, who with the assistance of a Board of Past Masters, installed Bro. H. J. Sandford, and
invested Bro George Taylor with the collar of I.P.M.
Past Master Bro. E. Parsons presented the following Brethren for investiture —W. H. Boyens, S.W. ; Ed.
Parsons, J.W. ; J. A. Parsons, Treasurer ; J. B. Borthwick, Secretary ; A. Boyd, S.D. ; R. J. McCullough, J.D.
; John Smith, Tyler.
A hearty vote of thanks was, on the motion of the W.M., accorded to the Installing Master for the very able
manner in which he had discharged his duties.
Bro. Smith, in replying, congratulated Bro. Sandford on his abeing the first Brother initiated in the Lodge to
reach the distinguished position of W.M.
The annual balance-sheet was read and adopted, showing the Lodge to be in a good financial position ; £19
5s being to credit of funds after paying all liabilities.
It was resolved to subscribe for one copy of the N.Z. CRAFTSMAN for the Lodge for one year.
Hearty good wishes were exchanged with the W.M. by visiting Brethren representing Lodges St. Augustine
and Southern Cross.
On the Friday a social was held in the Hall to commemorate the anniversary. Despite the bad weather
between thirty and forty couples accepted the invitations. Dancing was engaged in with much zest, capital
music being supplied by Misses Pilbrow and E. Parsons. A tempting supper was provided bythe wives of the
members in a temporary booth adjoining the Lodge-room. The W.M. and Brethren much appreciated the
efforts made by the ladies who contributed in this way, and thus greatly added to the success of the
gathering.
The singing of " Auld Lang Syne," followed by the National Anthem, brought a thoroughly enjoyable
evening to a happy conclusion.
____________________________________________
METHVEN, NO. 51, METHVEN.-The annual meeting of the Lodge was held on the evening of May 12th.
There was a good attendance of the Brethren The members of the Lodge decided this year to install their own
officers, and not to have a banquet as in previous years, thus saving the funds, with the intention of being,
some day, in a position to build a Lodge of their own. The ceremony was ably performed by Bro. C. A. C.
Hardy, P.P.B.G.P., assisted by Bro. James Gillanders, P.M., when Bro. F. A. Dunn was duly installed
Worshipful Master, and the following Brethren invested :—Jas. Gillanders, J.P.M. ; J. T. Mangin, S.W. ; R.
R. Lyne, J.W. ; Andrew Morgan, S.D. ; J. H. Ross, J.D. ; Wm. Wrathall, P.M., I.G. ; S. Goodwin, Tyler ; Jas.
Gillanders, P.M., Secretary. The Lodge having been closed in due form, an hour was pleasantly spent in the
ante-room.
__________________________
PROVINCES OF OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.
WAITAKI, NO. 11, OAMARU,
INSTALLATION OF BRO. JAMES MACDONALD.
THE annual meeting of the above Lodge was held in the Masonic Hall, Oamaru, on Wednesday, May 11th.
There was a very large attendance of Brethren, including visitors from Dunedin, Palmerston, Ngapara, and
elsewhere. The ceremony of installation was performed by Bro. A. H. Burton, Grand Superintendent of
Otago, assisted by Bro. Grumitt, Acting Grand Senior Warden ; Bro. Titchener, Junior Grand Warden ; Bro.
Hamilton, Acting Grand Director of Ceremonies ; Bro. McWhirter, Assistant Grand Sword Bearer ; Bro.
Lane, Acting Grand Chaplain ; and Bro. Creagh, Grand Steward. Past Masters Bros. M'Jennett, Pinel, and
Kirby also took part in the ceremony. The list of officers is as follows :—W.M., Jas. Macdonald ; S.W.,
H.J.Baker ; J.W., J.H. Irvine ; Treasurer, E .G. Lane ; Secretary, J. Wansbrough, P.M. ; S.D., R.J. Keys ;
J.D., N. Swinard ; I.G., A. Mackay ; Organist, F. J. Kemshed ; Stewards, R.H. Cathcart, P.M., and C. Martin
; Tyler, W. H. Ridsdale. Bro. Kemshed presided at the organ, and a very successful meeting was held. A vote
of thanks to the retiring Treasurer, Bro. C. C. Probert, was duly recorded. A banquet was held in the Queen's
Hotel after the installation ceremony,which was largely attended,64 sitting do wn, and passed off very
successfully. The balance-sla et I r the year ending May 4th shows the total receipts to have been £197 19s
41, and the expenditure £194 17s 8d, which included the last payment of their share of the mortgage of £100,
and a fixed deposit of £55. The liabilities are stated to be nil. The assets are shown at the respectable sum of
£446, of which £400 is put down as Waitaki's " half share in the hall property ; " but what has become of the
fixed deposit, £55 ? It is not shown in the assets.
LODGE TARINGATURA, No. 743, S.C.
The annual meeting took place on Friday evening, the 10th inst., in the Masonic Hall, Lumsden, and passed
off with great eclát. This Lodge possesses a most comfortable and cosy hall, connected with the business
premises of the indefatigable Secretary, Bro. G. F. Johnson, who is the only foundation member left in the
district.
The Brethren mustered in good force, considering the lengthy distances most of them had to traverse. Several
visitors (including P.M.'s Bros. Craig, A. H. M`Kenzie, P. L. Gilkison, of 610, S.C., and J. E. Pickens, of
741, I.C.) came from Invercargill, and by their presence considerably added to the harmony of the evening.
The District G.S., Bro. Hy. Neill, expressly came from Dunedin to perform the ceremony of the evening, and
most ably fulfilled the duties devolving upon him.
The newly-elected Master, Bro. Joseph Crosbie, was installed in the chair of King Solomon, accoreing to
ancient rite and custom, After the ceremony P.M. Bro. Watson presented a most handsome P.M. jewel to the
J.P.M., Bro. Wm. Johnston, for his past services. The recipient thanked the members for their mark of
esteem. Hearty congratulations were then tendered by the visiting Brethren, and the Lodge was closed in
peace, love, and harmony.
The Brethren then adjourned to Host Crosbie's hotel, where a sumptuous repast was laid, to which ample
justice was done by all attending. The usual loyal toasts were duly proposed and honoured, as well as that of
" The District Grand Lodge," " Newly-installed Master," and " The Visitors." During the evening Bros.
Pattinson, Gilkison, Read, and Hescott (Representative of this Journal) rendered some capital songs, which
were received with great applause by the Brethren. The gem of the evening was P.M. Bro. Gilkison's song,
entitled, " The Tinkers' Wedding," a humorous Scotch ballad, which caused much laughter. The words are
not intelligible to a Southron's ear, but the genial D.G. Secretary, Bro. Neill, could and would translate the
song to any Brother who is desirous of obtaining the same.
The evening's conviviality was brought to a very pleasant termination by the Brethren singing " Auld Lang
Syne " and " God Save the Queen." The Representative of this Journal desires to convey his sincere thanks to
Lodge Taringatura for its hospitality and support.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
LODGE REPORTS
PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND.
ARA, No. 1.—The day fixed for the installation of the W.M.-elect, Bro. A. Stuart Russell, P.D.G.M., Grand
Treasurer, is Wednesday, the 22nd. On July 1st an " At Home " will be held in honour of the event. At the
meeting held on the 18th May, Bro. the Rev. W. Calder, of Ponsonby, S.C., was accepted as a member.
UNITED SERVICE, No. 10.--The installation of Bro. H. A. Ellison—the W.M.-elect—will take place on the
29th inst.
BETA-WAIKATO, NO. 12, HAMILTON.-There was a good attendance at the regular monthly meeting held on
the 12th of May. The W.M., Bro. J. Primrose, conferred the first degree on Mr. W. Wallace, mine manager,
Huntley. Bro. G. F. McCullagh, having answered the questions in a satisfactory manner, was passed to the
second degree. The election resulted in the following Brethren being re- turned :— G. W. Sare, W.M. ; R. J.
Gwynne, S.W. ; T. J. Prince, J.W. ; G. Edgecumbe, P.M., (Grand Pursuivant), Secretary and Treasurer, 13th
time ; W.T. Bell, S.D. ; R. B. Peat, J.D. ; A. T. Hookey, Organist ; T. W. Littlewood, I.G. ; L. Newton, Tyler.
Bros. Sare, Gwynne, and Prince thanked the members for the honour of election. Bros. Edgecumbe and Sare
reported having attended the Annual Communication of Grand Lodge, and they gave a short account of the
proceedings, and of the ceremony of installing Bro. Malcolm Niccol as M.W. Grand Master. The installation
of Bro. Sare and the investiture of his officers will take place on the 23rd inst.
EDEN, NO. 20, NEWTON.-Tuesday, April 12th. In consequence of the absence of Bro. H. Robinson, the
W.M., through illness in his family, Bro. W. H. Cooper, P.M., P.G.W., took the chair and proceeded to
initiate Mr. W. Waddell (a son of the late Bro. Waddell, Mayor and Chairman of the Harbour Board at
Auckland). Bro. Cooper afterwards expressed his gratification at being privileged to initiate Mr. Waddell, as
not only was he a personal friend, but his late father had been closely associated with him in office in the
English District Grand Lodge for some years, and his death had been greatly regretted by all his Masonic
friends. He also assured the Lodge that while the W.M. and P.M.'s were prevented attending to the work of
the Lodge that a rota of the Grand Lodge officers would be arranged to attend every meeting night. W. Bro.
G. H. Powiey then took the chair, and raised Bro. Jack to the M.M. degree, giving the lecture on the tracing
board. Amongst the visitors present were Bro. T. Thomas, W.M., St. Andrew ; Bro. Ellison, W.M., United
Service Bro. Basley, P.M., Secretary of Ara. On the 14th inst. they had an initiation, two passings, elected
the Master, Treasurer, and Tyler for the ensuing year, and appointed an audit committee. The installation
takes place on Tuesday, the 12th of July.
MANUKAU, NO. 24, ONEHUNGA.-The annual social, postponed from December last, was held on Friday, the
10th inst. The members defrayed the cost. The Secretary, Bro. Tilson Smith, courteously forwarded us an
invitation. Judging from the amount of business on each monthly circular, the Lodge must be rapidly
increasing its strength. On the 7th inst. they had four gentlemen to ballot for, and, if successful and in
attendance, to initiate. They had also to initiate Mr. Prangley, an accepted candidate, and raise Bro. Mincher.
____________________________________
PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.
SCINDE, NO. 5, NAPIER.-The Secretary, Bro. Robert Price, Past Grand Warden, sends his congratulations and
good wishes, and the following report :—The proceedings at the regular monthly meeting of the Brethren of
Scinde Lodge were more than usually interesting on May 19th. On the Lodge being opened, R.W. Bro. R.
Price, P.J.G.W., having been deputed by the Grand Superintendent of Wellington, presented W.M. Bro. J. E.
Provis with his commission as the Representative of the Grand Lodge of Kansas near the Grand Lodge of
New Zealand, and which confers on him the rank of Past Junior Grand Warden under the Constitution of
Kansas. The following Brethren were elected to fill the offices for the ensuing term, their installation taking
place on St. John's Day next :— T. Sidey to the office of W.M. ; J. W. McDougall, S.W. ; R. Goulding, J.W.
; R. Price, P.M., Secretary ; A. V. J. Lockie, Treasurer ; C. S. Galloway, S.D. ; J. Alexander, J.D. ; J. A.
Muir, I.G. ; D. A. Sturrock, Organist ; H. Yarrall, Tyler. Bro. D'Autherau, of No. 3, N.Z.C. (late 604 E.C.),
was entered as a joining member, and the first degree was administered to a novitiate. Before the Lodge
closed the W.M. paid a high tribute to the newly-installed M.W.G.M., Bro. Niccol, and proposed that the
congratulations and hearty good wishes of Lodge Scinde be conveyed to him. The motion was seconded by
Bro. Tonkin, and carried by acclamation.
MASTERTON, NO. 19, MASTERTON.-An emergency meeting was held on May 25th to confer the second
degree on Bros. Cross and Cargill, and at the regular meeting on the 8th inst., Bros. Arthur K. Von
Keisenberg, of the late Lodge Thistle No. 649, S.C., and Leonard Jas. Hooper P.M., of No. 19, N.Z.C., were
accepted as joining members. Messrs. E. S. Dickson and Wm. Joseph Saunders, accepted candidates, were
initiated.
ABERCORN, NO. 30, WAIPAWA, HAWKES BAY, held its regular meeting on 11th May. The weather was
wretched and the attendance sparse. The only thing that is worth making a note of is that a little mild
excitement ensued when the Secretary, in going through the correspondence, read a circular from "The
Shadwell Clerke Trust " asking for a contribution to a fund for the benefit of Mrs. Clerke (widow of the late
Grand Secretary of England) ; and, after that, a letter from a Lodge in the Auckland district notifying us that
owing to instructions from their District Grand authorities (E.C.), they could not allow a member of
Abercorn Lodge, now resident in their township, to attend their Lodge for the purpose of obtaining his M.M.
certificate ! The two items are well matched, don't you think ? The Lodge, however, is not to blame, as it
cannot do otherwise than obey the instructions of its District Grand Lodge. I have hopes, though, that it will
ere long see its way to join the " majority."
FEILDING, NO. 41, FEILDING, RANGITIKEI -The regular monthly meeting was held at the Foresters' Hall, on
the 16th ult. There was a fair attendance of Brethren present, including Bro. W. Dawick, W.M., of the
Manawatu Kilwinning, No. 47, Palmerston North, and his two Wardens, Bros. Salmon and Hocking,
together with the Secretary, Bro. F. E. White, and the I.G., Bro, T. H. James ; and Bro. J. Marshall, Otangaki,
No. 70, Ashurst. A circular was read from the United Grand Lodge of England re the Shadwell Clerke Fund,
when the following resolution was passed :—" That this Lodge remit £3 3s. to the Grand Lodge of New
Zealand in aid of the Shadwell Clerke Fund, with a request that the M.W. Grand Master of New Zealand will
take prompt steps to obtain concerted action for his Lodges, which will enable him to remit a substantial sum
to this fund, and to practically testify to the truly Masonic feeling which will ever exist towards the Lodges
of Great Britain." A Brother was advanced in a most creditable manner by the W.M. ; the working tools were
presented by the P.M., Bro. Bray, the charge by the S.W., Bro. H. L. Sherwill, and a lecture on the tracing-
board by the J.W., Bro, Worsfold. A candidate was proposed.
MANAWATU KILWINNING, NO. 47, PALMERSTON NORTH.-The regular monthly meeting was held on May
11th, and there was a good attendance of Brethren and visitors. Bro. F. W. May was passed to the F. C.
degree by the W.M., Bro. W. Dawick, ably assisted by P.M.'s Bros. W. H. Smith and W. Rutherfurd. It was
decided to hold " a social " for Masons, their wives, and lady friends only, some evening during the winter.
Hearty good wishes were given by Brethren hailing from Canterbury Kilwinning, No — ; Bedford, No. 25 ;
Waterloo, No. 13; and Methven, No. 51. I forgot to mention in my last report the kindness of the Brethren in
voting a sum of £5 5s for past services to the Secretary, and that for the future he be allowed 5 per cent. on
all moneys received. The auditors considered that a deal of his time was taken up, and it was hardly to be
expected the work could be done properly without some remuneration.
______________________________
PROVINCES OF OTAGO AND SO UTHLAND.
WAITAKI, NO. 11, OAMARU. PRESENTATION OF A PAST MASTER’S JEWEL TO BRO. O. H. PINEL.-Although
you have not for some time heard anything of Lodge Waitaki, you must not think we are defunct, for I can
assure you we are very much alive, and looking forward with good hope and prospects for the future. You
will be pleased, I am sure, to know that we and our Sister (kindly make no objection to this word, for it is the
proper title), Lodge Oamaru Kilwinning have succeeded in paying the debt on our " Masonic Temple," and I
am glad to say we we like our building best just as it stands, without the gaudy embellishment of a mortgage.
The land and building are all our very own—and yours also—and every Brother in the Craft the world over
to use and feel at home in. We had our regular monthly meeting on the night of Wednesday, the 8th inst. We
mustered well, and Bro. Jas. Macdonald, W.M., whose lot it was for the first time to rule his Lodge, had an
initiation, and carried through the whole work of the evening in a very praiseworthy manner. P.M. Bro. Pinel
assisted by giving the final address, which he did in a most fervent and impressive style, any person
listening, cannot but have felt touched by the fervour of the speaker. It fell to the lot of P.M. Bro. Hamilton,
Grand Sword Bearer, to pin a jewel on the breast of P.M. Bro. Pinel, presented to him by the Brethren of
Lodge Waitaki, as some small memento of his year of office, and an acknowledgment of our indebtedness to
him! for his unvarying courtesy and kindness, and of the excellent manner in which the whole business of the
Lodge has been conducted during his year of office. After closing, a most enjoyable hour was passed in the
ante-room, and with " God save the Queen " a very happy evening came to an end. I must not forget to
mention that amongst our visitors we had one from North Queensland, who spoke very well as to Masonic
matters in that part of the world. I must also tell you that I have heard dissatisfaction expressed by several of
our friends at the unsatisfactory and incomplete character of the last balance-sheet of our Grand Lodge. I am
not an accountant, but I cannot help thinking such an important document should be sent out, without having
the least possibility of cavil from any one. In a private and confidential report issued by the secretary, Bro.
Wansbrough, P.M., the Craft is warned against an imposter representing himself as a P.M. of the I.C. Bro.
Wansbrough relates how one professing to look for work treated him. The work was offered, but warmly
refused, as the individual wanted money.
CLUTHA, NO. 14, BALCLUTHA.-A candidate was ballotted for and accepted on the 6th inst. The installation
will be held on the 24th inst.
MOKORETA, NO. 63, WYNDHAM.-The monthly meeting was held on the 12th ult., the W.M., Bro. Monteath,
in the chair. Messrs. Wm. Allison and William Poole were balloted for and accepted, their initiation to take
place this month. Bro. A. C. Bishop tendered his resignation, which was accepted with regret. Things are
looking bright in this Lodge, there being three candidates for proposal, and prospects of more.
NGAPARA, NO. 68, NGAPARA, OAMARU.-011 May 9th, Messrs. James Cochrane and John Kydd were
balloted for and accepted. They were initiated on the 6th inst. That old veteran, Bro. Capt. Matheson, P.D.G.
Warden, of Waitaki, No. 11, was accepted as a joining member on the 6th inst.
___________________________________________________________
PROVINCES OF MARLBOROUGH, NELSON, AND WESTLAND.
WAIRAU, NO. 42, BLENHEIM.-On May 2nd, a large number of Brethren assembled to witness the
presentation of two jewels to Bro. W. W. De Castro, P.M. One of these was that of a Scotch Past Master, and
the other that of a Past Master of the N.Z.C. W.M. Bro. Healy made the presentation, and in doing so alluded
to the services Bro. De Castro had rendered the Lodge, both under the Scotch and New Zealand
Constitutions, and his remarks were endorsed by Bro. Salmon, P.M. Bro. De Castro could not say many
words in reply, but what he did say were to the point. Afterwards the company retired to the supper-room
and there enjoyed the good things put before them. After the usual toasts the W.M. proposed " The Guest," to
which Bro. De Castro responded in feeling terms. Songs followed, and " The Visitors," responded to by
Bros. Conolly and Kilpat- rick ; " The Press," proposed by Bro. O'Callaghan, and responded to by Bro.
Wilkinson ; and A pleasant trip overland," by the Master, concluded that portion of the programme. During
the evening songs were rendered by Bros. Green, Ryan, Mills, M.H.R., O'Callaghan, Salmon, and Lane, and
" Auld Lang Syne " finished up one of the most pleasant Masonic gatherings held in Blenheim for a long
time.
ADVANCE, NO. 61, BRUNNERTON.-This Lodge held its ordinary meeting on April 16. A rather large amount
of routine business was attended to. Mr. Esau Whittle was initiated, and Bros. Masters and Dent raised to the
sublime degree of Master Masons. P.M. Bro. Bish took the chair of K.S., and in a very masterly manner
conducted the proceedings. He was ably assisted by W.M. Bro. Bland, and by P.M. Bro. Burford, who
worked the greater part of the initiation. The hearty thanks of the Lodge were tendered to P.M. Bro. Bish for
the valuable and willing assistance he had rendered our Lodge during the past 18 months. Amidst all the
turmoil and unfriendly relations of the N.Z.C. and E.C. Brethren, it is pleasing to note and gratefully
acknowledge the many services rendered our Lodge by Past Masters of the English Constitution. But for
their timely help our Lodge on many occasions would have been in sore straits. For about three years we
have been absolutely without a single available Past Master. At installations and initiations what could a
young struggling Lodge do without them ? First of all P.M. Bro. Murphy, of Greymouth Lodge, came to our
assistance, driving up night after night whenever we required his help. After his departure to New Plymouth,
P.M. Bro. Bish, also of Greymouth, took his place, cheerfully travelling the distance in all weathers
whenever his services were required, and occasionally bringing P.M. Bro. Skoglund with him. P.M. Bro.
Gibson has also helped us on several occasions, and now we have P.M. Bro. Burford with us as a steady
attender and worker. Looking at all these English P.M.'s sitting on the dais, working harmoniously and
enthusiastically with us, leads us to hope that the day is surely not far distant when cordial fraternal relations
will be established and unanimity and harmony once more prevail among the Brethren throughout New
Zealand.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
BRIEF MENTION
THE Deputy Grand Master, Bro. Kaye, is on a visit to Australia.
BRO. C. ORCHARD, bookseller, Stratford, Taranaki, has been appointed agent for the CRAFTSMAN.
Owing to pressure on our space, a large quantity of Lodge reports and other interesting matter, now in type,
is unavoidably held over.
THE Brethren of Lodge Ngamotu, No. 48, New Plymouth, have unanimously affirmed the desirability of
Grand Lodge adopting our scheme of representation and election.
A LETTER bearing no signature has reached us from Blenheim. It doubtless is genuine, but to ensure
publication the name and address of the writer must be forwarded.
Typo says, " the N.Z. CRAFTSMAN is a credit to New Zealand Masonry."
THE Earl of Glasgow, says a contemporary, was initiated in an Irish Lodge abroad.
THE M.W. Grand Master, Bro. Malcolm Niccol, has laid his plans for a visit to Otago, in January, 1893.
THE Grand Secretary's new address is " Masonic Institute, Auckland." We are told that Bro. Ronaldson likes
Auckland very much.
WE never liked those manugraphic circulars issued by Grand Lodge. The new departure is therefore a
pleasing one—print is easier to read, and will receive more attention.
IN its issue of April 23rd the London Freemason gives an account of " The installation of Bro. W. J. Rees as
Provincial Grand Master (S.C.) of New Zealand. Wrong again !
A VERY interesting correspondence has lately appeared in the Speaker on " The Pope, the Craft, and Friendly
Societies." We publish part in this number, and more will follow.
A MINUTE of Fredericksburg Lodge, Virginia, U.S., records that the ceremony (Royal Arch) was worked on
December 22nd, 1753. Bro. Hughan declares this to be the earliest minute hitherto known of the degree
being conferred.
COLOURED Masons, resident in California, have made application to the Grand Lodge of that State for a
dispensation to establish a Lodge under its jurisdiction. American Masons, says the Chronicle, Ohio, will
await the outcome of this affair with keen interest.
THE July Communication of Grand Lodge will probably be held in Wellington ; the October Communication
in Christchurch the January Communication in Dunedin ; and the annual meeting (April, 1893) in Auckland.
We like this idea of fixing the dates in advance.
A CONTEMPORARY gravely states that the degrees of Knights of the Red Cross " are peculiarly part of
Scottish Royal Arch Masonry, and no Companion is eligible for a Principal's chair unless he has taken
them." We never knew that before. Perhaps some Brother will enlighten us on the point.
A GREAT deal has been said and wrttten about the origin of the Royal Arch degree, but notwithstanding all
our researches, we have not, even now, an authentic account of the actual origin of that interesting and
instructive ceremony. Recent investigations, however, enable us to fix with more precision the period of its
advent ; and hence, though we know no more than we did as to the actual Brother or Brethren who arranged
or fabricated the degree, we are led to the conclusion that it is most probably of English origin, about 1735-
40, and mainly of British and American growth."—HUGHAN.
THE South African Freemason, in its " Jottings from Johannesburg," mentions that at an emergency meeting
of the Star of the Rand Lodge, a Brother from Fiji gave a very interesting account of Masonry in that part of
the world. A P.M., improving the occasion, said " They had doubtless heard and read of men being saved,
from death through their being Freemasons—that upon the point of being done to death they had made a
sign, or given a grip, or had made an appropriate gesture showing that they were Masons, and in
consequence their lives were spared. But here we had a living example—here was a Brother who had
actually been amongst the cannibals, and because he was a Freemason they would not eat him !" That Fiji
Brother evidently has a lively imagination.
THE same paper and the same correspondent mentions a meeting of the John Saunders, Royal Arch Chapter,
No. 225, S.C., in the Royal Ark Mariners degree. " Though seventeen years have passed since I was inducted
into the mysteries of this degree, I have never been able to fathom (I don't mean this for a joke) its
connection with Craft Masonry or any other ; perhaps you will kindly give some insight into it if you are at
liberty to do so." We also shall look for the Editor's reply with much interest.
WE regret to learn that the Superintendent of Wellington is on the sick list.
THE N.Z. Mail clipped from the CRAFTSMAN, and courteously acknowledged its indebtedness on the 2nd
inst.
PHOTO engravings of the interior of the Invercargill Masonic Hall will appear in the July and August issues.
THE Grand Secretary, Bro. Ronaldson, is comfortably located in the Masonic Institute, Auckland, and has
the assistance of a telephone and a boy.
THE circulation of this Journal has for some months past been 2,000 copies per month. None of its
predecessors, even it their palmiest days, got beyond 1600 copies.
"IGNOTA," writing under the heading of " Late Society Gossip " in the N.Z. Mail, alludes to a farewell dance
given by a few bachelors in the Wellington Masonic Hall. Some mistake here, surely !
BRO. HESCOTT, our representative, wishes to return thanks to Bros. Patchett, Secretary of Lodge Southern
Cross, N.Z.C., W. Taylor, Secretary of Lodge St. John, S.C., and Past Master Blacke, Secretary of Lodge
Victoria, I.C., all of Invercargill. Bro. Hescott reports having met with much kindness and courtesy from the
Invercargill Brethren, and says the members of the three Constitutions work side by side in perfect harmony.
IN reply to our leader of April last, entitled " Bluff," The Catholic Times intimates that : " We fully
appreciate the attempt of our contemporary to draw us, and regret that at present we would rather not accept
his disinterested challenge. If, however, he will possess his soul in patience for a short time, he will find that
our statements will be more than substantiated. We have been taught to be cautious, and intend to be so."
THE January Communication of Grand Lodge was held in Oamaru. The wisdom of the step was doubted, but
it turned out as we said it would—a very successful and enthusiastic meeting, which will have far-reaching
results. The trial being so successful, why not continue ? We feel certain that the Wellington Brethren would
raise no objections to the July Communication being held in Wanganui or Napier, and we know that the
graceful concession of the Wellingtonians would be appreciated by those who had the honour and privilege
of a visit from Grand Lodge.
THE Keystone, published at Brisbane, takes the place of the defunct Freemasons' Magazine The second and
third numbers have reached us, and the last has this to say :—" The N.Z. CRAFTSMAN, just to hand, is a
really creditable production. It contains, with a good deal of other excellent reading, four photos. with
biographies of leading lights in the New Zealand Masonic world. We feel sure the Brethren have little cause
to be otherwise than proud of their organ." We wish our Queensland contemporary every success ; and we
notice with satisfaction that its existence for the first twelve months is assured ; by that time it will doubtless
have obtained a firm and lasting hold of the affections of the Queensland Brethren. If we can be of any
service, the Keystone can freely command us.
APROPOS of the Ritual, the following racy anecdote was told us the other day :- Some years ago a
distinguished party of English Brethren visited, by invitation, a country Lodge. Upon arrival at the township
they were allowed to attend to the wants of the inner man, but immediately afterwards were conducted to the
Masonic Hall to view the beauties of the building, and have the admirable arrangements of the interior
pointed out by the Master. They were somewhat puzzled to know the use for a large screen in the east, but
concluded it was a draught excluder. They had, however, not long to wait for enlightenment, for the
W.M., pointing to the screen, said : " That's a gran' thing."
Distinguished Visitors admitted that it was.
W.M.—" It's for the Third."
Distinguished Visitors, surprised and interested, admitted their ignorance.
W.M.—" I'm surprised ye have it no in Dunedin. Ye see, I go behind wi' a candle to read the Book.
Eh ! but its a gran' idea, and simple."
Collapse of Distinguished Visitors.
THE Mark degree has taken a new lease of life in South Africa.
A PERFECT knowledge of the ritual does not make its possessor an expert Mason.
PAST Grand Master Bro. Thomson installed Bro. R. Ball, of Ashley, No. 28, Rangiora, on the 9th inst.
WE forgot to thank Bro. Hemus, photographer, of Auckland, for allowing his copyright photograph of Bro.
the Earl of Onslow to be reproduced in our April number.
WE are indebted to several Brethren for the particulars of Bro. Macarthur's death and burial, but more
particularly to Bro. Foster, Secretary of Lodge Feilding.
IN England and Pennsylvania the jewel of a Past Master is the 47th problem of Euclid. In other jurisdictions
it is the compasses extended to sixty degrees, with a sun in the centre.
THE London Freemason says : " There is a good deal of presumption about the members of the new-born
irregular Grand Lodge of New Zealand." Quite so ! Our contemporary did not relish our " Facts and Figures"
of January last, neither did it publish them.
A CORRESPONDENT writes that he is positive the Irish Lodge in his city would join the Grand Lodge but for
one thing, and that is, " that as long as there is one voice against it, he can hold the Charter." Our
correspondent wants to know what amount of truth there is in that story. None. Rule 125 of the Irish
Constitution says it requires three subscribing or actual members to hold a warrant.
"MALLET," in the Scottish Masonic Record of March, says : " The Masonic Guide of New Zealand " far
1892, the prospective issue of which I mentioned some time ago, is now to hand, and it is with pleasure I am
able to say that the publication proves all that was promised. It is neatly got up and well printed by J. Wilkie
& Co., Dunedin, N.Z. It contains a large amount of information compiled by the Editor of the N.Z.
CRAFTSMAN, which is, therefore, by reason of his close connection with the Craft in New Zealand, and the
facilities for procuring information at command, thoroughly reliable. The book, which measures 5 by 3½
inches, comprises over 50 pages of printed matter, and 32 pages of thick paper with photo-engravings of 16
prominent members of the Craft in New Zealand."
IN the mistaken judgment of not a few Craftsmen, ritual and business denote the main features of a Masonic
Lodge. The organisation is a Mason manufacturing machine, and its wheels must be kept moving that
candidates may become Craftsmen according to the prescribed rules ; and then business matters must receive
a due share of attention. But is this all ? Is there no higher purpose—no broader mission for a Masonic Lodge
than thus to transact formal business, and go through the ceremonies of initiating, passing, and raising
candidates ? There should be a great deal more attempted in a large and edifying expression of Freemasonry
by the Lodge. It should be a home, where members gather, recognising the friendly, fraternal relation of
Masonic association, and glad of the opportunity afforded them to cultivate each other's acquaintance. It
should be a place where the vital principles of the institution are discussed, and their application considered
in manifold ways of practical usefulness.—Repository.
THE oldest original minute book in America was discovered in the attic of an old country house in Delaware
County a short time ago. It had lain there undisturbed for almost a century. The contents of the book consist
of 106 closely written pages, and covers the period from June 28th, 1749, to July 2nd, 1755. It contains many
curious entries, not the least of which is the invariable close of such proceedings with the announcement, "
Ten o'clock, ye Lodge closed," a custom which might well be followed by frhe Brethren of the present day.
Another curious feature was that the Lodge always met in the E.A. degree, and occasionally admitted visitors
who were not Freemasons. Thus, in the proceedings of AUgust 12th, 1752, among the visitors appears the
entry : " Sarnl. Austin, not a Brother." Several cases are noted where members were imprisoned for debt,
application being made to the Lodge to release them from durance vile.
DURING his term of office, the Grand Master of Canada has visited 275 Lodges.
THE Grand Lodge of Pennyslvania felt the necessity of defining what were the landmarks so long ago as
1822.
ARCHDEACON FOGG, of Capetown, at a synodical meeting, spoke of Freemasonry as an instiution his church
would do well to encourage.
THE salary of the new Grand Secretary of England is fixed at £1000. His predecessor, the late Colonel Cerke,
commenced his duties some twelve years ago at £500.
Among the most extraordinary pieces of symbolism known to have been used by the early Asiatics was a
figure of a donkey's head used as a representative of the Deity.
THE Prophetic News and Israel's Workman, a twopenny pamphlet published in London, contains a notice of
Freemasonry. " I shall endeavour," writes the contributor, " to prove that the system of Freemasonry, while
exhibiting solicitude for the material benefit of man, is in its nature an enemy of the Truth of God—
Christianity and Freemasonry stand in opposition. The latter numbers its millions ; has its passwords, signs,
grades ; and has also wealth within its pale. The great ones of the earth occupy its highest places. It has
spectacular shows, feastings, and secrets which, under pain of death, are supposed to be protected by solemn
oaths and fearful penalties, viz. : To have the body opened, the entrails plucked out, the heart torn to pieces,
and the whole thrown to the dogs.' Freemasonry is based on Sabeism, or the worship of the stars. It is Babel
in its present underground working of the mystery of iniquity—a wing of the great army of Satan, to be
brought into action when the contending forces join in battle. It is a well attested fact that every idolatrous
system contains a perversion of the events recorded in Genesis. The temptation effected through the Serpent
has induced the worship of the Serpent as a supernatural being. This worship is co-extensive with the race." "
For the facts here presented," he continues, " I must refer to ' Traditions of Eden,' by Shepherd, and to Secret
Societies,' by Hekethorn. It, will then be seen that Freemasonry is a perpetuation of myths varnished here and
there with Scriptural quotations, and he maintains that 3,000,000 American Christians affirm " the Lodge
system to be anti-Christian in its practice and in its aims." The same periodical promise us very extraordinary
political convulsions, giving the certain dates. This year we are to witness the greatest European war ever
known, in which Germany will be defeated, and France is to extend her rule to the Rhine.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
OBITUARY
Like the brown leaves our loved ones drop away,
One after one, into the dark abyss
Of sleep and death ; the frosts of trouble lay
Their withering touch upon our happiness.
DOUGLAS HASTINGS MACARTHUR,
PAST DEPUTY GRAND MASTER.
A PROFOUNDLY painful sensation was experienced throughout the town and district of Feilding on Tuesday,
the 24th May, when the news spread of Bro. Macarthur's death after an illness of a few hours' duration. He
had been attending to his business as usual, was at his office on the Monday, but on returning home late in
the afternoon he suddenly became so ill that he was compelled to go to bed and send for Dr Sorlay, who
found the patient suffering from congestion of certain areas of the brain, with partial paralysis of the left side
of the body. At a quarter to seven next morning there was a sudden extravasation of blood on the brain, and
at seven o'clock he died.
The shock was a severe one to Mrs Macarthur and the family of three daughters the painful occurrence had a
most depressing effect upon the usual holiday festivities, and deep sympathy was expressed for the bereaved
family by all classes of the community.
Bro. Macarthur was born in Edinburgh in 1839, and arrived in the colony during the year 1856. During the
first two years after his arrival he worked a farm in Nelson Province, then as a miner at Collingwood, Deep
Creek (Marlborough), Dunstan (Otago), and other goldfields, where he was moderately successful. When the
settlement of the Manchester Block was inaugurated he received from the London office the appointment of
sub-agent to the corporation, Mr. A. F. Halcombe being the chief. On the appointment of the latter to the
management of the Patetere Settlement, Mr. Macarthur was appointed in Mr. Halcombe's stead. He took a
keen interest in all local matters, was member and chairman of the Manawatu County Council, and on the
separation of the Oroua County, was also chairman of that body for some years. He was first Mayor of the
Borough of Feilding, and was District Coroner for a number of years, but resigned the position previous to
entering Parliament.
Of Bro. Macarthur's political career The New Zealand Times had this to say in a kindly obituary notice of the
deceased gentleman :—" To the general finance of the country he also devoted a great deal of attention, and
with such success that he was regarded as the coming Treasurer of the Opposition party, of which he was by
virtue of his acknowledged abilities, and in consequence of his steady support of the last Atkinson
Government, one of the leaders. . . . . A strenuous, hard-working public man, the representative of a powerful
combination, an example in private life, Mr. Macarthur has gone to his account. Peace be to his ashes ' will
be the heartfelt wish of many thousands of people over a large country-side."
The deceased Brother joined the Feilding Lodge, No. 1940, E.C., in 1881, was Senior Warden in 1884, and
Master in 1885. On the inauguration of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand he became the first Senior Grand
Warden, and Deputy Grand Master in 1891. Had he survived he would have ultimately filled the Masonic
throne. On his death becoming known in Auckland the Most Worshipful Grand Master forwarded a telegram
of condolence to the afflicted widow.
THE FUNERAL.
Bro. Macarthur having no near male relatives in the colony, the conduct of his obsequies devolved mainly
upon the Masonic body. At noon the Worshipful Master of Lodge Feilding, No. 41, N.Z.C., opened a Lodge
of Sorrow. The attendance was large, and included officers and members of the following Lodges :—
Feilding, No. 41.—Bros. W. A. L. Bailey, W.M. ; H. L. Sherwill, S.W. H. Worfold, J.W. ; T. W. K. Foster,
Secretary ; J. H. Stevens, Treasurer ; J. C. Moray, S.D. ; C. Bray, J. D. ; C. A. Bailey, I.G. ; E. Gregory,
Tyler ; W. H. Hart-gill, Organist ; and E. Smith, 0. Pleasants, P. Thomson, G. Kirton, W. Carthen, W. Bailey
(Past Masters), G.B. Simpson, E. Goodbehere, S. Strachan, A. H. Tompkins, H. Pryce-Jones, C. A. J. Levett,
J. Neilson, F. R. Linton, J. B. Pringle, J. Sorley, G. H. Saywell, J. Purkiss, and H. J. Booth.
Otangaki, No. 70.—Bros. Thomas Dyer Brown, W.M. ; Thomas Rimmer, Secretary, acting S.W. ; J.
Cowern, acting J.W. ; E. C. Sanders, S.D. ; J. Symonds, J.D. ; R. James, I.G. ; J. James, H. Tremewan, J. W.
Dulay, and J. Marshall.
Rangitikei, No. 38.—Bros. J. M. Broughton and T. Flowers, Past Masters ; F. J. Mansell, J.D. ; and F. Webb,
I.G.
Rangatira, No. 71.—Bros. W. Thompson, W.M. ; James Magee, S.D. ; W. A. Floyd, J.D. ; and W. H.
Mahoney, Secretary.
Manawatu Kilwinning, No. 47.—Bros. W. Dawick, W.M. ; J. Salmon, SW.; and J. Hocking, J.W.
Ruapehu, 2137, E.C.—S. Gibbons, W.M. ; W. Mangham, S.W. ; W. J. Dust, J.W.; A. Morrison, P.M. ; D. C.
Tennant, and J. F. Sicely.
United Manawatu, 1721, E.C.—Bros. C. Hosking, W.M. ; T. L. Thurslake, S.W. ; J. W. Batt, P.M. ; R.
Leary, F. Bryant, J. W. De Bois, G. Page, E. Browne, W. T. Roots, and J. Nathan.
Also, Bros. R. Logan, A. R. Curtis, W. G. Haybittle (P.M.), R. B. Crump, S. G. Winchester (P.M.), and R.
McBeth.
The Grand Lodge of New Zealand was represented by Bro. E. T. Gillon, Past Deputy Grand Master ; Bro.
Herbert J. Williams, Grand Superintendent of the Province ; and Bro. George Robertson, Past Grand
Secretary.
The Brethren then proceeded iniprocession to the residence of the deceased. At the gateway the Volunteers
opened out and the Brethren moved on to the house, where the coffin was placed in the hearse—Bros.
Gillon, Williams, Robertson, and Bailey acting as pall-bearers. The procession then re-formed and proceeded
to the Anglican Church, where the first part of the " Service for the Dead " was read by the Rev. A. Hermon,
the choir chanting the 90th Psalm. On leaving the church the procession formed in the following order—
Military Band,
Manchester Rifles,
Friendly Societies and Firemen,
Masonic Lodges and Brethren,
THE HEARSE,
Mourners on foot,
Private carriages (66),
Horsemen (70),
and proceeded to the cemetery, which is situated about four miles from the town.
At the grave the burial service was completed by the Rev. W. Hermon, the beautiful Masonic service being
read by the Worshipful Master of Lodge Feilding, Bro. Walter A. L. Bailey—each Brother present
depositing his sprig of acacia on the casket. After the conclusion of the last sad rites, the Brethren returned to
the hall, where the Lodge of Sorrow was duly closed.
The coffin of the deceased was covered with floral wreaths, including two from the Grand Lodge of New
Zealand (procured by special request of the M.W. Bro. Niccol), with the inscription, " With deepest
sympathy and condolence to those bereaved, from the Grand Lodge of New Zealand." The dead Brother's
Masonic clothing and crossed swords were also laid on the casket.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
LETTERS
TO CORRESPONDENTS.
Letters intended for insertion must be accompanied, in all cases, by the real name and address of the writer, as well as
by the name and number of the Lodge to which he belongs, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good
faith. We do not hold ourselves responsible for opinions expressed by our correspondents.
Correspondence is invited, and Brethren are solicited to forward inquiries relating to any matter of Masonic practice, or
bearing upon the history or expression of the Institution. We only impose these easy conditions :-
Do not write on both sides of the paper.
Do not write on either side unless you feel you must.
Do not write unless you have got something to say.
Do not write for a reply privately, through the post, because we are busy.
Do not write and expect us to endorse your opinions every time, as they may not be our opinions.
Do not write unless you say what you have got to say in a friendly way, as nothing written in a cantankerous
spirit will appear in this journal if we can help it.
Do not get impatient with us under any circumstances, because we do not deserve it. If you do, in that case, as
in every other one, BE BRIEF, and address THE EDITOR.
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.
SUBSCRIBER is anxious " to know if the notorious man Deenfing was a member of the Craft." We are not in a position to
relieve his anxiety, but we may tell him that the woodcut he forwarded—representing some person in Arch clothing—
bears not the slightest resemblance to the man hung in Melbourne ; and further, the person whom that woodcut
represents was not a Freemason at the time his photograph was taken.
____________________________________________
CLOTHING FOR THE GRAND LODGE.
TO THE EDITOR.
DEAR SIR AND BROTHER,-At the installation meeting of Grand Lodge it was noticed that not one of its
officers wore similar clothing ; some, indeed, being of a most mixed character. It is time that steps should be
taken to remove this blot in our meetings, and that aprons, collars, and gauntlets at least should be procured
to clothe the principal officers of the Lodge at its future meetings.
In the present state of Grand Lodge funds it cannot be expected that for some years they will be able to spare
£500 to pay for a full and complete set of regalia and clothing ; but, on the other hand, clothing of approved
pattern, and ample for the requirements, can be procured at not a very heavy expenditure—the jewels and
regalia being left for later on. At the last monthly meeting of Lodge St. Andrew, No. 8, N.Z.C., Auckland, £5
5s was unanimously voted towards this object, with the hope that all Craft Lodges under the N.Z.C., will also
contribute according to their means.
May I solicit the Brethren through your columns for donations. The amounts will be paid into a trust fund,
and applied under direction of the Board of General Purposes. —I am,
Yours fraternally,
W. H. COOPER, P.M., and P.S.G. Warden,
Secretary Lodge St. Andrew.
__________________________________________
THE ROBERT BURNS LODGE, 604, S.C., AND THE MARK DEGREE.
TO THE EDITOR.
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
A man's a man for a' that.
—BURNS.
DEAR SIR AND BROTHER,-
In your April issue appears a report of the above Lodge, stating that fourteen Brethren were advanced to the
Mark degree, which was conferred in a most peculiar manner by one holding no rank in a Mark Lodge.
You, in that spirit of fairness, which is, " and always should be," a distinguishing characteristic of Masonic
journalism, request further information from some reliable source. Your present correspondent has the
sanction of the R.W.M. to furnish the same, which is as follows :-
The Mark degree in our Craft Lodges is, " for obvious reasons," not worked so often as the E.A., F.C., or
M.M. degrees, which are conferred on candidates in regular order—hence the necessity for extra care in
conferring the Mark on Brethren who are generally well grounded in Masonic knowledge. To this end, and in
accordance with our Masonic motto (to reward merit and ability), a meeting of all the officers and P.M.s
unanimously concurred that Bro. H. A. Bruce, Depute Master of our Lodge, was the fittest to preside in the
Mark Lodge, he having thoroughly qualified himself to fill that office with credit to himself and honour to
the Lodge over which he is second in command. The R.W.M. therefore " very wisely " thought it right to
delegate his power to Bro. Bruce to confer the Mark degree, which he did in a manner that would have
reflected honour on any of our oldest and ablest P. M.s.
When I say that our R.W.M. and three P.M.s were pleased to fill subordinate offices, and did not think it
derogatory to their dignity to exchange the sceptre for the trowel ; also, that an old and eminent P.Z.
complimented the Lodge on the efficient manner in which the Mark was wrought, I should think the '
peculiar manner " your former correspondent refers to, must have been its excellence.
It has been suggested that the real sting of his remarks was meant to be in the tail of his communication,
viz.—Sunday Lodges of Instruction. These were at once discontinued in deference to the peculiarities of one
or two Brethren, but I think it was scarcely Masonic to publish such a falling from grace to the Brethren
whose opinions we are at all times willing to respect.
In conclusion, I would just say I think it would show a more brotherly feeling to point out to us where we
fail, rather than in a short paragraph hold us up to the derision of our brother Masons, as we are quite as
willing to receive just censure as well-meant praise.
With hearty good wishes for the time when Masonic unity will again prevail in our colony.—I remain, Dear
Sir and Brother,
Yours fraternally,
HENRY T. GOURLAY, P.M.,
Robert Burns, 604, S.C , Christchurch.
[This is what we said in April :
" Robert Burns, 604, S.C., Christchurch.—A correspondent informs us that this Lodge advanced fourteen candidates to
the Mark degree in March. He calls it a peculiar ceremony, and that it was given by one holding no office or rank in the
Mark. Will some Brother kindly forward us the real facts. The Sunday meetings of the Lodge of Instruction have been
abolished."
There is considerable difference in our wording and meaning to the wording and meaning credited to us by P.M. Bro.
Gourlay. However, we thank him for the explanation.
With respect to Sunday Lodges of Instruction, we cannot do better than quote from Oliver :-
But even if they "—Sunday meetings—" did not interfere with public worship, Freemasonry is scarcely a fit pursuit for
that holy day. We have six days for the study of Freemasonry, in common with other pursuits. Sunday has its own
peculiar duties, which ought, on no account, to be broken in upon."
The Fellow Craft's lecture of the last century contained the following : -
Did you ever work as a Mason ?
My forefathers did.
Where did they work ?
At the Building of King Solomon's Temple, and many other stately edifices.
How long did they work ?
Six days.
Why not on the seventh ?
Because the Almighty has strictly commanded that day to be kept holy.
" Our Ancient Brethren did not work on the Sabbath day.—Let us copy their example."—ED C.]
_______________________________________________
THE NEW BY-LAWS OF LODGE ABERCORN.
TO THE EDITOR.
Dear Sir and Brother,—There are one or two rulings given in your remarks on Abercorn's by-laws in last
issue which I think cannot be upheld.
Our by-laws were, I daresay, very loosely framed, but as they were almost a reprint of those of another
Hawkes Bay Lodge--I'm afraid there are others in the same pickle as the poor Abercornites.
That such laws should have been passed, and allowed to remain in existence for years without remonstrance
from the Prov. Grand authorities, shows very plainly that a most important duty was performed in a merely
perfunctory manner by them, and further, that proper supervision cannot be kept by the Grand Lodges at
Home over our supervisors— the P.G. Lodges. This is a conclusive proof, then, that a real, live Grand Lodge
for New Zealand is a good thing for us all. For cannot we now reasonably expect that the by-laws of every
subordinate Lodge will be brought within the four corners of the Constitutions ?
And now to the points I wish to maintain :-1. " One B.B. excludes either a candidate or a Brother desirous of
joining." The rule is based on the contention. —and there is some sound sense in it too—that it is better, if
there is a single dissentient, to keep out of the family circle of the Lodge a person or Brother with whom we
are not acquainted, than to run the risk of losing one whom we have known and worked with for years
perhaps. At any time if we find the privilege of the single ball being abused, we can make an alteration in the
by-law. But as yet we have not found the necessity.
2. "Brothers in arrears prevented from speaking," &c. That this is in accordance with Constitutional law finds
proof in the fact that Grand Lodge has not only passed the rule as correct, but has added the words, nor take
part in any of the ceremonies ; so the amended law is even a little more drastic than before I Local bodies
say " If you do not pay your rates and taxes, you shall not have a vote," and this, quite irrespective of the
right of such bodies to recover their rates by process of law after an election is over.
3. Grand Lodge too, passed, without alteration of the sense, the law which debars a joining member from
appying for membership more than twice, or within a shorter period of time, than six months. I suppose he is
expected to take the second refusal as proof positive he is not wanted. You however may have law on your
side on the point. I don't know. If you have, give chapter and verse, please.
This is rather a long letter, but I had to show we were not quite so black as you painted us.—Very fraternally
yours,
JOHN PICKETT,
Waipawa, April 11th, 1892. Secretary.
[With Past Master Pickett's consent we held over his letter until he supplied us with a copy of the by-laws.
This he has done, and we find little to complain of in the laws as now printed, for the principal objections
made by us in March last have evidently been borne in mind by the revisers, and the unconstitutional clauses
have either been amended or eliminated. But there seems to be a contradiction between clauses 8, 7, and 5.
Clause 7 intimates that any Brother desirous of joining the Lodge must be proposed and balloted for in the
same manner as a candidate for initiation. Clause 5 specifies that manner : ' The proposer shall deliver to the
Secretary in writing the full name . . . . and shall become responsible for the initiation fee ;" whereas clause
8 contradicts this by declaring that if the accepted candidate does not pay the affiliating fee within three
months he shall not be admitted as a member of the Lodge without being again proposed and balloted for.
Now, this very question was raised in a Dunedin Lodge some months ago. A Brother was proposed and
accepted, and his proposer not having paid the fee, he was declared to be not a member. The Brother
appealed. The appeal was allowed, and the Lodge ordered to accept him as a member. Having once accepted
a person as a member, that membership can only be voided by death, demission, or expulsion. " Every
Master Mason " (says Paton in his work on " Freemasonry and its Jurisprudence ") " who is a member of a
Lodge, has a right to speak and vote on all questions that come before the Lodge for discussion. No local by-
law can deprive a member who has not been suspended from voting on the ballot for the admission of
candidates, because the 6th Regulation of 1721 distinctly requires that each member present on such
occasion, shall give his consent before the candidate can be admitted ; and if a member were deprived by any
by-law of the Lodge, in consequence of non-payment of dues, of the right of expressing his consent or
dissent, the ancient Regulation would be violated, and a candidate mght be admitted without the unanimous
consent of all the members present." " It is the Magna Charta of Masonic liberty," says the same authority, "
that no Mason can be punished or deprived of any of the privileges of Masonry except upon conviction after
trial." It is time that the Mason should no longer be able to say, as a reproach to the consistency of our legal
code, " I may lie, I may steal—nay, I may commit murder, and my Lodge will not and dare not deprive me of
my Masonic privileges, except after a conviction and an impartial trial ; but if I omit to pay the Secretary a
few shillings, then, upon his mere report—(and without an opportunity to make the accuser prove the truth of
his charge, by the correctness of his accounts)—and without any opportunity given me to show that the
omission was the result of ignorance, of poverty, of sickness, or of misfortune, I am to be deprived of the
right of speaking, of the right of taking any part in the work of the Lodge, and of the right to hold office."
Bro. Pickett's reference to local bodies in this connection is not a happy one. Masonic bodies are governed
by, and subject to, constitution and laws, which consist of landmarks, general regulations, and local
regulations. " Founded upon the Regulations of 1721," says the authority from whom we have been quoting,
" is the right of a Mason to affiliation." He has " the right of applying for membership to any Lodge that he
may desire to be affiliated with ; and, therefore, as this right remains intact notwithstanding his rejection, he
may at any time renew his petition to the Lodge that rejected him, or make a new one to some other Lodge,
and that petition may be repeated as often as he deems it proper to :do so." We are pleated that Bro. Pickett
took exception to our remarks upon his Lodge's by-laws, for it has given us the opportunity to say a few
words upon a much misunderstood topic. That our remarks have done, and will do, much good we are con-
fident, for already two Lodges have submitted their proposed by-laws for our opinion. We gave it, but also
reminded them that Grand Lodge alone had the power of sanctioning what we had advised them to adopt.—
ED. C.
____________________________________________________
MASONRY FROM THE FEMALE SIDE OF THE QUESTION.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HEBREW STANDARD.
DEAR SIR,-I have read, with more or less interest, the Masonic department of your paper ever since you
began to write about Masonry in The Hebrew Standard, because anything Masonic rules in my house. Being
the unfortunate wife of an active and " prominent" Mason, I must submit to the Mystic Tie ever since I have
been tied to my husband. When I first became acquainted with him, although a very young man, he was the
Senior Deacon of his Lodge. Now, my good old father had been a very active church member, and somehow
I associated the Senior Deacon with church matters, and thought this young man must be worthy of my
confidence, and one evening on the front stoop I whispered the fatal " Yes." We were married but a short
time when he was elected Warden in his Lodge. Again my mind reverted to my sainted father with church
matters, churchwarden, &c., and I was even pleased (foolish woman as I was) with his election. In due time
he informed me that very likely he would become Master of his Lodge, and I even then felt elated at the
thought of being the wife of a Worshipful Master. Little did I think of the long train of misery and lone
evenings that were to follow his elevation to the chair once so ably filled by King Solomon. Of course we all
know that the wives of their first Grand Master were not alone when he was at his Lodge—there were seven
hundred of them, hence they could take turns in watching and waiting and fretting and scolding.
The night of election came, and before he went to the Lodge he told me he could not say when he would be
back, but as there was no " work," only election of officers, he would probably not be very late. I sat up
praying for the success of my husband, and waited patiently for his return. Ten o'clock, eleven, twelve—low
twelve, I think they call it—and I began to feel very low indeed. I retired, tried to go to sleep, but it was
useless. The weary hours passed very slowly, and I began to get fearfully excited. Can it be that something
has happened to him, or was there some serious struggle over the election ? I remembered of having read of "
election fights," of Tammany primaries, and then all the terrible stories I had heard about the Masons passed
through my mind. Their horrible oaths, their dreadful tortures and punishments to recreants, even the fearful
billy-goat, I thought of. I got up again. I could stand this suspense no longer. I dressed and made ready to go
out. I would go to the Lodge rooms, to the station house, to the City Ball—somewhere, anywhere where I
might have tidings from my beloved one. It was now near four o'clock in the morning, and once more I sat
down by the window, scarcely knowing what to do next, when at last I heard a step. It did not sound exactly
like his step, but it was he. I rushed down to let him in. I asked in breathless excitement, " What has
happened ?—where have you been ?" Steadying himself against the hat rack, he said : " I am very tired, my
dear. The election was very exciting ;" and, plunging his hand into his pocket, he brought out and held up a
greasy, dirty, old piece of paper or parchment.
" This, my dear, is the charter of my Lodge, and I will keep and res—respreserve it unto—unto -- "
" it must be very heavy," I interrupted him, " if it took you all this time to bring it home."
I took him upstairs and put him to bed, and then when the strain upon my nerves gave way I had a good
crying spell and wept myself to sleep, only to wake up with a terrible headache. My brand new Worshipful
also awoke with a raging headache (same effect, different cause) from the excitement of the election, as he
explained.
From that day forth there was no end to my bother and trouble about Masonry. First came Mrs Maccanigan,
who had a claim upon me because my husband was the Master of her Lodge ; then came Bro. Snodgrass,
who had been a member once, and now wanted to get back to the Lodge again ; another wanted my
Worshipful to take him to the Board of Relief for something or other, and as for evenings, I never had the
honour of spending an hour with the Master of the Lodge, as he had always some other place to go. I did not
so much object to the charity part of the programme as I did to the visiting part. There was Harmony Lodge
No. 1 worked the Third Degree, and he was particularly requested to assist then there was Union Lodge No.
2 which was expecting an official visit, whatever that is, from some " Grand Muck-a-Muck," and of course
he had to be there ; and then there was Lodge No. 3, " Why, they have always been very friendly with our
Lodge, and I must go there to help them out,' you know." I did not know anything of the kind, only that
Lodges, Chapters, Councils, Consistories, &c., saw more of my husband than I did.
One day a letter came inviting my Worshipful to call at a certain place that evening to have a consultation
about some Lodge matters. I knew that the Lodge would meet on the following night, and that they would
then consult to all hours in the morning, so I was determined to keep him away from consultation No. 1.
When my husband came home from business that evening he felt very tired, and I asked him to come with
me to visit some friends, but the cares of business had so worried him that day that he did not feel well
enough to go ; he had intended to visit Tubal Lodge this evening, but was really worn out, so I must excuse
him—he would rather, much rather, stay at home with me.
I pretended reluctantly to acquiesce in his desire to stay at home, and said we would read and chat, and be
home together, and be comfortable. I brought out his slippers, and when he was undressed and comfortably
stretched out on the lounge it suddenly occurred to me that a letter came for him that day, and I handed it to
him. After he had read it he asked me, " Why did you not give the this letter before ?" (It was now after nine
o'clock.) " Well, my dear," I replied, " you were so tired—too tired to go out with me—and I felt so sorry for
you, and then-- " However, I will draw the broad mantle of Masonic charity (you see, I know this oft-quoted
garment) over his cloudy face, and say nothing of the pleasant fifteen minutes we spent together—he in the
East, I in the West, and all the officers in their respective stations and places.
I do not wish to tire you with my plaints about Masonry. I suppose you are a " Worshipful," too, and a "Most
Excellent," and what not. When the first year in the " East " had passed, I hoped to be relieved from all
further Masonic care ; but no, my liege explained that it was customary in his Lodge, if a Master had served
faithfully and acceptably, and had done his duty, to compliment him with a re-election. So he was elected
again, and again. Then he became a High Priest, an Eminent Commander, an Illustrious Somebody of the
Council, and one night (or rather morning) he came home with a black sash, and said he was a Prince of
Jerusalem (Prince of Hades, I thought), and then, later on, he brought another sash—a white one this time.
And so, year after year, this kept on. And all the funerals he had to attend to ! I thought the Masons were
dying fearfully fast and often. And it takes so long to bury them—I have known my husband to come home
late at night from a Brother's funeral. And what with all the widows that had to be seen and looked after, he
had no time to look after his own wife and family.
Now my husband is a Past Master, Past High Priest, Past Everything, past all hope and past all redemption.
But the measure of my trouble was not full until he went and joined the " Veterans." This is the worst of
them all. I draw the line on the Veterans. In Lodge, Chapter, and Commandery I did sometimes have some
fun. They have balls, receptions, parties, excursions, and many social gatherings ; but these horrid old Vets.
have banquets and chowders and good times, but " no ladies need apply." The old fellows keep it all to
themselves. It is too bad, when I look back for these many years, to think how much I was mistaken, and
how much I have suffered from the fact that my husband is a Mason.
However, I have now become resigned to my lot as
A MASON’S WIFE.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
OUR EXCHANGES.
CONDENSED EDITORIALS.
Right of Visit THIS is a matter which is now engaging Masonic attention. Some Lodges have many
visitors—too many at times. " The right of visit " is an old and ancient custom, and to the workings in the
Lodge, should not be denied, but when it comes to " refreshments "— which, alas ! is the great attraction for
many, particularly the " unaffiliated wanderers "—it is a greater virtue to decline hospitality than to accept it.
Many Lodges are seriously burdened by the " charity of hospitality," so that they cannot give to the " charity
of distress " as they would. This is a serious defect and it should be amended. Let this be the rule if invited in
a special manner, stay now and then, but not always. If you cannot return the compliment by a responsive
invitation, then be not too ready to accept it. If the pleasures of the refreshment board be the chief attraction,
then the true spirit of Masonry must give way to other things of less importance. Masons have the " right to
visit " their Brethren and fellows in Lodge assembled, a right which may be claimed but not insisted on—the
right of courtesy and brotherhood, but not of intrusion. Visitation is a great benefit to the Craft ; let it be done
judiciously, not " for meats and drinks," but for more light in Masonry. He is a poor Mason who would force
his way where not expected to be present. We are exhorted to " cherish strangers who are fellows," and to
make them feel that Masonry is the same all the world over. It is not wise for Lodges to pick and choose
whom they will have to visit them, and a refusal in one case might reasonably lead to retaliation. A non-
subscribing Brother may visit, but only with the view of speedy " affiliation." Brethren should insert in the
appearance book whether affiliated or not. We have too many unattached Brethren, and would give them a
hint to join some Lodge, and thus give something to support those distressing appeals for " charity " to
widows and children struggling with poverty ; and feasting at the Lodge's expense does not seem to fit in
very well. Visitations would fall off to one half if there were no after attraction, to wit—the " festive board."
Masters and officers are exhorted to visit to get better acquainted with the " work." Individuals may when
invited, or when they have special interest in the proceedings.
Grand officers are usually welcome at all Lodges, but would show their wisdom in sometimes declining. The
"report" at the door of a Mason Lodge is simply a " request." There is no such thing as demanding admission
except it be the Grand Master or some official authorised to visit any particular Lodge. The time of visitation
should be after the minutes are read; and any private business such as " members in arrears," who shall be
struck off and who retained, had better not be discussed in the presence of visitors. There are Masonic secrets
belonging to each Lodge which members of other Lodges need not be made acquainted with.—The REV. E.
RODDA, P.S.G.W., President of the Freemasons' Literary Association of Victoria, in The Australasian
Keystone.
___________________
A Question of Ritual. IN the jurisdiction of Michigan there has been much discussion recently of the
revision of the ritual. 'The usual difference of opinion was developed. There was much talk of " the Barney
work," which was held to be identical with the Webb work ; but, unfortunately, the advocates of the Barney
work did not always agree among themselves. At the recent meeting of the Michigan Grand Lodge, an
evening was devoted to the consideration of the report of the committee on ritual, appointed presumably at
the previous communication. The committee were not able to agree, and made a majority and a minority
report. Representatives of each side exemplified the first degree, and each made an equal number of
corrections in the wording of the ritual. The matter was disposed of by adopting those changes which were in
both reports, and indefinitely postponing all the others. The zeal of Brethren who desire to get the true work
and to secure uniformity is laudable. But such a task should be undertaken with an understanding of its
limitations. It is natural for every one to think that the particular turns of expression to which he has been
accustomed through a series of many years have about them an authority superior to that based upon the
memory of any other individual. Irreconcilable differences are, therefore apt to arise, and very often they
relate to matters of no great importance. It is well, therefore, for enthusiasts in this field to know at the outset
that the attainment of their ideal is not to be expected. It transpired in the discussion in Michigan that keys
were used, some of which were furnished by the Grand Lecturer, while others were obtained from other
sources. Without undertaking to criticise a practice that appears to have prevailed in another jurisdiction, we
may remark that even this departure from what many regard as allowable has not had the effect of promoting
that literal uniformity for which many Brethren sigh in vain. Where differences of opinion exist it is as easy
to put them into keys, where keys are sanctioned, as it is to teach them orally.—Masonic Home Journal,
Kentucky.
___________________
Ballot and Initiation. IN one of the English Masonic papers a discussion has been lately taking place as to
the propriety or impropriety of initiating a candidate into Freemasonry on the same evening as that upon
which the ballot is taken. We gather that this practice is not uncommon in England, and we know that it is
pretty frequent amongst colonial Lodges. As to its legality there can be no question. All the Constitutions
exact is due notice of the ballot, and the fact of the ballot being clear before the initiation takes place. But at
the same time we cannot see that the practice recommends itself on the ground of expediency. and we do not
care about seeing in Craft notices the announcement, " To ballot for, and, if necessary, initiate " Mr So-and-
so. It savours too much of taking it for granted that the candidates, once proposed, must go favourably
through the ballot as a matter of course. It is obvious that the position of a candidate summoned to attend a
Lodge, and waiting in the ante-room for an hour or so, only to be told that he is blackballed and is not
required, is an extremely unpleasant one, in which Masons should not place any man. As a matter of fact, we
believe that the knowledge that a candidate is actually waiting outside, operates very powerfully to limit the
exercise of that freedom of ballot which is the most important agency in preserving the purity of our
institution. There is no getting over the too patent and too painful fact that the portals of the Lodges are not
so guarded as they used to be formerly, and as they ought to be now. The growing laxity in the admission of
candidates is obvious enough in the more settled communites of Europe, it is much more under the changeful
conditions of colonial society. From it spring almost all the evils which, as Masons, we have most to deplore
in the working of our Lodges, and to keep it in check is the one crying necessity of the day. If we can only
induce our Lodges to make sound inquiry into the character and position of every gentleman whom they
propose to make a Mason, we have done almost everything required to work out a Masonic ideal.
Consequently anything which tends, even in the remotest degree, to weaken proper respect for the ballot is
an evil fraught with dangerous possibilities. And we cannot but think that the spectacle of a candidate being
brought to the Lodge, and waiting in the ante-room whilst his ballot is being taken, must seem to the young
Mason strongprima facie evidence of the ballot being a mere formality, and must lead him, unless he is a
very strong-minded man, to put in a white ball as a matter of course. And even the older and more
experienced Mason will hesitate before taking a course which sends a candidate away under most
humiliating circumstances. Such a condition of things ought by all possible means to be avoided. No stone
should be left unturned to impress upon the minds of Craftsmen the solemn responsibility connected with the
putting another stone into the Masonic edifice, and upon the candidates themselves the value of the
privileges they are seeking to obtain.— South Africa-it Freemason.
________________________
Pope, Friendly Societies, , and MasonsTHE selection of a new head of the Roman Catholic Church in
England gives a good opportunity for calling attention to the most doubtful point connected with the policy
in Great Britain of that body. For nearly a quarter of a century k have been a humble Freemason, and an
inactive member of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows—the greatest Friendly Society in the world. For the
same period I have been an active member of the Ancient Order of Foresters — the next in power of all
Friendly Societies. During the last few years, in Poor Law work, I have seen that the value of these bodies to
the nation is as great as they themselves claim that it is. The Freemasons of this country, as is well known,
are a body of which the first characteristic is good-fellowship, and the second alms-giving, and they exist
mainly for the combination of these two qualities. They have so little sympathy with the Continental
societies of the same name, which have mostly political or anti-religious objects, that the whole of the
Masons of the United Kingdom have solemnly repudiated the Grand Orient of France on account of the
omission by the Grand Orient of the name of the Great Architect of the Universe, and of all recognition of
the Grand Lodge Above, from their proceedings. It is also a well-known fact that British Freemasons are
exhorted to be exemplary in the discharge of their civil rights. . . . The Manchester Unity and the Foresters
are societies of mutual thrift, existing among workmen, and democratically governed by their members. The
Roman Catholic Church had in times past, and has still, its quarrels with certain Italian secret societies
unknown in this country—quarrels with which we never had anything and have nothing to do. Why should
British Roman Catholics be prevented in Great Britain, or in the British colonies, from joining such
admirable societies as those which I have named ? It is a loss to the societies, and it is still more a loss to
Roman Catholic Britons that this membership should be forbidden on pain of the censure of their church. In
some colonies mere censure has been exceeded. Cardinal Archbishop Moran—according to a private
circular, which has never, I believe, been repudiated since its publication by Mr Wise, a former president of
the Oxford Union, and a former Attorney-General of New South Wales—deprives of the sacraments of his
church those who join the Oddfellows, Foresters, Good Templars, Rechabites, and all kindred societies. This
is done on the ground that the church condemns " secret societies." " Secret societies " is a big phrase for the
playful mysteries which surround membership of the societies which I have named. There are libraries in
London in which information may be obtained about the mode of initiation into Masonry, which is perhaps
not far wrong. There are bookshops in which works at least professing to state the nature of the ceremonies
can be purchased. But, for fear of incurring censure, I will not name Masonic rites, but, alluding only to
those of the Friendly Societies, which have among them in great Britain now millions of members, I will say
that it is notorious that those of the Oddfellows are merely pleasant, those of the Foresters merely religiously
suggestive, and that their nature is such that none of the thousands of the clergy of the Church of England,
none of the hundreds of Nonconformist ministers who have joined the Orders having signs or passwords
have ever seen any reason to publicly or privately complain of these at least harmless symbols. Why then, I
repeat, should the censure of the Roman Catholic Church visit those who have become members of Orders
which, by almost universal admission, have in them nothing but good ? Surely the time has come when the
authorities of the Roman Catholic Church in England and in the British colonies might properly point out to
the Vatican, with all respect, the essential difference which exists between the so-called secret societies of
the British Empire and those secret societies which flourished in Italy between 1815 and 1848, the memory
of which still haunts the Papal repose.—CHARLES W. DILKE, in the Speaker.
Are You a Masonic Student? BROTHER reader, are you a Masonic student ? If not, why not ? If you are a
Freemason you are under obligation to be a student. A candidate cannot be advanced from an Entered
Apprentice to a Fellow Craft without being a student. He must learn the Craft's lesson, and recite that lesson
to the satisfaction of the Craft. The rising generation of Brethren, we are proud to say, are students, all of
them. But Freemasonry proffers not a single study only to its initiates, but numerous studies. All of these
may be classified in two sections to which we invite our readers' attention. The Work of Masonry is one
study, and a noble one—noble in itself and noble in its method of instruction. It is noble in itself because its
substance purifies the heart, clarifies the mind, and improves the life. The precepts of Masonry are perfect in
their mortality and nobility. Any Brother who lives up to them will be acknowledged to be blameless, even
in the estimate of his most exacting critic. The study of such a system of truth must be pleasing and
profitable. But it is more than this. It qualifies for office in the Craft. It enables one to be elevated to stations
of honour and responsibility, and thus to be placed in positions to instruct and benefit his Brethren and
glorify Freemasonry.
. . . But there is another class of Masonic students. They are not set apart from the first class, but are those
who have passed through that class, become expert workers, and then not satisfied with a knowledge merely
of the verbiage of the work, have desired to understand its underlying meaning, and to trace back, to some
degree at least, its history towards its origin, and thereby discover its development. No one who has not
become a Masonic student of this class, and shared in this most engaging quest, can measure the amount 'of
pleasure and profit in store for himself should he pass into this higher class of students. . In our era the
Masonic world is more indebted to one Lodge, than to any other score of influence, for the congregation of
Masonic students into one organisation, and the diffusion by and through them of Masonic Light to the entire
Craft of Freemasons around the globe. That Lodge is the Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076, of London,
England—a Lodge composed exclusively of Masonic students, whose only ambition is to discover Masonic
truth, to find old Masonic documents and records, and elucidate from them the facts of past, and now
unknown Masonic history. Days and nights, weeks and years, are spent by these Brethren as Masonic
students. They are illustrious in various exalted walks in life, but a large part of their ambition is to glorify
Freemasonry. They will spend any time or money necessary to enlarge the sphere of Masonic knowledge. . . .
All praise to such Brethren as Hughan, Lyon, Gould, Speth, Bywater, Rylands, Fort, Schultz, Vaux, and their
peers in the ranks of Masonic students. The Craft universal is under obligation to them but they do not assert
it. They are self-sacrificing but not self-asserting. Their only aim is to benefit Freemasonry. They have their
reward in their quest for Masonic knowledge, in their discovery of Masonic truths and important facts in the
life of the fraternity in the Past. Brother reader, there is no reason why you shoull not be a Masonic student,
in both of these classes. You may and should learn the work, and you may and should understand its
philosophy, and the genesis and exodus of Freemasonry out of the past. . . . We would that all Freemasons
were readers of the Craft's literature, that all took a Masonic journal, read Masonic histories, and manifested
an interest in Masonic literary inquiries. There is a world of pleasure to be derived from this source, which is
open to all Craftsmen. Brethren, become greater Masonic readers, and you will become greater Masonic
thinkers and greater Masonic actors. You will enlarge both your sphere of enjoyment and your sphere of
usefulness. Are you a Masonic student ? If not, become one at once.—Keystone.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
MISCELLANEOUS.
FRENCH MASONRY.
SUBJECTS DISCUSSED IN THE LODGES.
" Concerning the part of Freemasonry in the labour question."
" The irreligion of the future."
" Reform in assessment of taxation."
" The effect of machinery upon the wages of the workman."
" Masonic marriages."
" Why should we preserve our symbolism ? Its origin, its aim."
" The different Socialistic schools."
" Masonic mysteries."
" Central Africa."
" Some words about Tonkin."
" The part which Freemasonry should take in the labour question."
_______________________________________________________________________________________
MASONIC CELEBRITIES.
ALBERT PIKE,
Sovereign Grand Commander ad vitam of the Supreme Council,
33rd Degree, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A.
CONTINUED.
EARLY MASONIC DEGREES.
" The Ancient ' Freemasonry certainly had no Master's Degree. . . We cannot say from what earlier source
the Degrees worked in 1724-5 came but neither can we say, upon any proof yet produced, that they came
from any earlier source. We cannot say how far back their ancestry extended. True, but we also cannot say
that they had ANY Masonic Ancestry. What secrets of the three present Degrees were given in the two
Degrees recognised by the Grand Lodge of England in 1723 ? Were all the words, signs, and grips of three
then given in the two ? Do we really know what were given ?
" I cannot see how it can be said that the Master's Degree was a part of Ancient Freemasonry. I know of no
proof that the Hiramic Legend had had a period of infancy, before 1723.'
WHAT DEGREES ARE MASONIC ?
" No one can claim that the Royal Arch, or any of the Degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
formed a part of Ancient Craft Freemasonry.' But, if the Master's Degree became Masonic, a part of
Freemasonry, when adopted, why could not the Rose Croix, the Degree of Perfection, and others, though not
'Ancient,' be entitled, by their nature, purposes, forms, and methods, to be also called Masonic ? Is not the
Mark Degree essentially Masonic ' ? If you say that nothing can be called Masonic that was not part of
Masonry in 1725, you have a right to put that limited meaning on the word Masonic,' as designating a system
and organisation, and not as in any way indicating the essential character of a Deo-"ree. In that sense I do not
dissent from your opinion. I called our Scottish Rite Degrees Masonic,' using the word in a wholly different
sense, and as expressing their essentiality. If they are the development of the Blue Degrees, like the
commentaries on a text, they are Masonic.
" I have carefully read Bro. Speth's article, but he does not convince me that the Master's Degree was any
part of Ancient Craft Masonry.' We are used here to the continually repeated assertion that nothing beyond
the Blue Degrees is entitled to call itself Masonic,' and I do not contest the right of any one to insist upon it.
The whole question is whether Masonry' and 'Masonic ' shall have a wider or a narrower meaning. If any one
chooses to insist that geology is not a science, because it is not one of the seven ancient liberal arts and
sciences, I shall not argue the matter with him. To me Masonic ' is a word descriptive of the nature and
character of the Degrees that are so styled, and Templarism is not Masonic ' at all. I never argue with an
agnostic, because he has one meaning for the word 'knowledge ' and I have another."
CRAFT MASONRY A BORROWER.
" Those who insist that there is no Masonry outside of the Blue Degrees should be content with these as they
were in 1725. But they are not, and nineteen-twentieths of the Masonic ' writing of the last twenty years
would be just as much in place anywhere else as it is in Masonry. It is borrowed from everywhere, and
lugged into Masonry by the ears. Even our work is more than half borrowed. Masonry serves the same
purpose as a framework or figure in front of a clothes shop—to hang garments of all sorts upon. It is not at
all above borrowing from the Degrees which it turns its nose up at as not Masonic. If it were compelled to
confine itself within its own narrow circle, and could not forage elsewhere, its annals would be dreary
enough."
SYMBOLISM.
" As I have said, the symbolism of Masonry is, in my opinion, the soul of Masonry. When you shall have
read what I have written, you may be led to take up and complete, or at least carry further the work. It is a
wide field, and I am quite conscious how little I have done towards exploring it.. If, as is said in our Western
Country, I have blazed the way ' for others, I am quite content."
ON ORAL LECTURES.
" Although our Masons will not read much, they listen excellently well and patiently for any length of time-
4f the speaker will tell them anything worth listening to. I think that I have talked to some sixty Lodges in
different places, from New York to New Orleans, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific, to Lodges composed
largely of men reasonably well educated — lawyers, divines, and clergymen in New York, workmen in the
saw-mills of the Territory of Washington, and of miners in Nevada—without in any instance the audience
becoming weary, often without even one going away, although. I rarely [spoke] for less than two hours, often
two and a half and sometimes three. So I know that men of many kinds can be deeply interested in the
subject of the symbolism of the Blue Lodge, and are glad to have it proven to them that there is something
more, and higher, and nobler, in their Blue Freemasonry, than they had supposed."
NEGRO MASONRY.
"I think that Negro Masonry, in this country, will remain as it is, indefinitely. To incorporate it with, or unite
it with, the White Masonry would cause the whole fabric to collapse. The white race here will not have the
Negro for a social or boon companion. The Grand Lodges of the Germanic Confederation already recognise
some of the Negro Grand Lodges, and some of our Grand Lodges have no communication with them, in con-
sequence of it ; and ultimately all will refuse to."
CROTCHETS OF GRAND LODGES, U.S.A.
" Some of our Grand Lodges indulge in very fantastic vagaries, are over-wise in their own conceit, have an
exaggerated notion of their own importance, and have foolishly thrust themselves, with impertinent inter-
meddling, into disputes and quarrels between the Grand Lodge of England and organisations claiming to be
Grand Lodges in the British Colonial possessions. Others deny the Masonic character to Lodges governed by
Supreme Councils or Grand Orients, and when such Lodges have, with or without the consent of these
powers, established Grand Lodges, as in Mexico, Peru, and Portugal, declare these clandestine, because the
Lodges were no Lodges, as having no charter from a Grand Lodge. This doctrine will spread,. I suppose, and
by-and-by there will be, for us, no Blue Masonry in any Latin country of Europe or America."
SYMBOLISM.
" I am glad to know that you find something of interest in the manuscript which I sent you on symbolism,
because it seems to me that the symbolism of Masonry is the soul of it, and constitutes its highest title to our
veneration. To lift Freemasonry to a higher level, and prove its right to the consideration and respect of men
of intellect and scholarship, has long seemed to me a most worthy object of anyone's ambition."
RITUALS IN U.S.A. (S.J.).
" We have a very full and elaborate Ritual, with opening and closing ceremonies and ceremony of reception
for every one of our 30 Degrees. The first 11, (4th Deg. to 14th Deg.), are given in Lodges of Perfection, four
of them, at least, being always conferred with full ceremony, and the others communicated in full. 'In many
of our Lodges of Perfection, every one of these 11 Degrees is conferred in full. The Chapters have four
Degrees (15th Deg. to 18th De,.), and two of these are conferred in full. The Councils of Kadosh have 12
Degrees (19th Deg. to 30th Deg.), at least five of which must be worked in full. The Consistory Degrees,
31st Deg. and 32nd Deg. are conferred in full : and the Supreme Council gives the 33rd Degree in full,
occupying some two hours. And when any Degree is communicated, it is given by one man, as full as when
conferred in the Body. Our Rituals are contained in five volumes, three of them quite large, and the volumes
of our other printed work are in number over twenty,—our bills for printing them having amounted to some
£9,000."
HONORARY MEMBERS.
" I do not think that any Masonic Body is much profited by indulging a taste for the creation of Honorary
Members. They are seldom of service (which probably ought not to be a disappointment)—and not many
regard investiture with honorary membership as an honour. It certainly is not so, when lavishly given—
indeed it sometimes becomes an insult."
PATRONAGE OF THE GREAT.
"No doubt 2076 is better off without the patronage of the great. When Freemasonry permits itself to be
patronised,' it humiliates itself, and ceases to have a right to respect itself. I hold that no man confers honour
on it, by becoming a member of its household. I think that our American Masonry has been entirely too
effusive in boasting of the fact that Washington was a Mason. The patronage of the great can hardly fail to be
a contemptuous patronage."
"If Masonry wishes to win respect as a teacher, it must first get something to teach, peculiar to itself,—of
which it is the sole proprietor. What else can it claim for such but its symbols? If these came to it from
Hermeticism, and the far more ancient source, the old Irano-Aryan or Mazda-yagrian creed it has a field
wide enough and profitable to explore and work in."
BLUE MASONRY UNIVERSAL, AND WHY.
" Blue Masonry has the quality of universality, because it was, early in the eighteenth century, propagated in
all civilized countries. It was natural that different Degrees, built upon it in different countries, should remain
confined to the countries of their origin, or extend to but few others, because in others they met rivals : while
the Blue Degrees, the foundation of all, had no rivals to contest the field with them. The Swedish High
Degrees have never g( beyond the limits of Norway and Sweden, nor the Danish beyond those of Denmark.
You have Degrees (Ark and Dove, and Royal Ark Mariner) that have never come here ; and we have some
that have never gone across the Atlantic.
" Unfortunately, the Blue Masonry is universal ' in name only. An American Mason cannot make himself
known in Sweden or Denmark ; and the Ritual of the Grand Orient of France is not a Ritual of genuine
Masonry.',
ASHMOLE : HIS OBJECT IN BECOMING A FREEMASON.
" Ashmole had some inducement that led him to seek admission into Masonry—some object to attain, some
purpose to carry out. Even his utter silence as to the objects, nature, customs, and work of the Institution is
significant. There was something in the Institution that made it seem to him worth his while to join it ; and
what was in it then may have been in it centuries before. He is even more reticent about it than Herodotus
was about the Mysteries of the Egyptian Priests."
The following are selections from his (Albert Pike's) published writings :—
GRAND ORIENT SYSTEM.
" I have always expressed an unfavourable opinion of the Grand Orient System, first introduced in the Grand
Orient of France. Within a narrow circle of powers, a symbolic Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter, and Supreme
Council could, undoubtedly, act in unison without clashing and conflict ; but if the action of either within the
sphere of its autonomy is to be reviewed, and perhaps reversed or annulled, in the Grand Orient, or if either
of these Bodies is made by the Constitutions to transfer part of its powers in regard to the Degrees
administered by it or the Bodies dependent from it, then dissensions are inevitable."
MASONRY A POLITICAL DOCTRINE AND RELIGIOUS CREED.
" I tell you that Freemasonry owes its growth and greatness all over the world to its having had a political
doctrine and a religious creed ; and, in my opinion, when it ceases to have either it will no longer be Free-
Masonry. It has both, thank God, in most countries of the world, knows it has both, and mwintwins both with
all its might ; and it has both here, although it protests that it has neither."
DETERIORATION OF FREEMASONRY.
" Masonry does not possess its ancient prestige. Little veneration is felt for it because of its antiquity. The
common estimation of it accords to it no superiority over the Knights of Pythias and other rival
organisations. It does not sufficiently respect itself. It counts notoriety too much. It runs too much to vain
parade and empty show and wasteful expenditure. It displays too many gewgaws and showy decorations,
which provoke men to ridicule it as gilded vulgarity.' "
AMERICAN GRAND LODGES WITHOUT MUCH INFLUENCE.
" What has become of the universality ' of Masonry, the world-wide brotherhood,' the universal language,'
when our [American] Grand Lodges have no communications at all with nine-tenths of the Grand Lodges of
the world, and not one has ever had any with the Grand Lodges of Denmark, Sweden and Norway, and the
Netherlands ? There is not a country in the world in which a Patent from one American Masonic Power, not
of the Symbolic Masonry, will not be promptly recognised ; not a Latin country in the world in which it will
not gain for its bearer admission into any Symbolic Lodge. Surely what that Power has found it possible to
effect can be effected by our Grand Lodges."
HOW IT MIGHT BE REGAINED.
" Our American Masonry can only be reinstated in that high consideration among men, which it once
enjoyed, by doing something that shall prove its title to it. The mystery that once surrounded it is dissipated,
the fictions on which it so long relied have been exploded by its own historians. It cannot regain the high
respect of the world, nor increase its power and influence and prestige, by wearing semi-military uniforms,
by drills in public, processions and parades, by gaudy shows and pompous displays. In all these, other
societies, and even those of negroes, can rival it, and some do even outdo it. Its journals are not read at all by
persons not of the Order, nor largely by the members of it, and their weight and influence in the world are
simply nought. Why cannot it establish a National Home for indigent and decayed Masons ; a Home where
its old and impoverished veterans could have rest and comfort. Why may not Masonry in the same way
establish a Home, or three or four Homes, for indigent widows of Masons, and a Home for the orphans of
Masons ? The drops of rain make the springs and rivulets, and these the streams and great rivers. Why cannot
the drops of Masonic bounty be gathered into one great river of beneficence and blessing ?'
UNAFFILIATION.
" I have always been doubtful of the wisdom of the harsh legislation by which some Grand Lodges, notably
that of New York, have endeavoured to repress unaffiliation. A curse,' it is said in one of our Degrees,
attends the reluctant performance of a duty ' ; and all such legislation has proven signally ineffectual to
convince men, if, indeed, it has not increased the evil. A far better remedy will be to make the Lodges more
attractive places to pass one's hours in."
A CRITICISM UPON GRAND LODGES IN THE U.S.A.
" Our Grand Lodges have little or no influence upon foreign Masonic opinion, and are for the most part
looked upon with little consideration by foreign Masonic Powers. This is greatly to be regretted, because, if
their influence and opinion could be concentrated in a National Grand Body, their effect upon the foreign
Masonry would be salutary and beneficial. And it is still more to be regretted that what little influence our
Grand Lodges have heretofore had, they are sedulously engaged in annulling, by endeavouring to compel the
recognition by foreign Grand Bodies, of American-made Masonic law, by unjustifiable intermeddling in
controversies to which English-speaking Grand Lodges, older than themselves, are parties ; and by
presumptuously endeavouring to dictate to the Masons of a large part of the world in what manner they shall
govern themselves. Sooner or later they will be compelled to take notice of the recognition of the Negro
Grand Lodges by the Confederation of Germanic Grand Lodges, which they were powerless to prevent.
What will by-and-by become of the " universality " and " universal language " of Free-Masonry ? It will
soon exist nowhere, except in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
Metuere deos,
Nirnium faventes,
to dread the too great favour of the gods,' is a lesson always profitable to bear in mind."
( To be Continued.)
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THE ANCIENT CRAFT CHARGES.
BACON'S NEW ATLANTIS-1624.
I SUGGESTED, in my last memorandum on the Old Charges, that the new theory might throw a light upon
Bacon's fragment of the New Atlantis, or House of Solomon. A not uninfluential school of foreign writers
has asserted that our modern Freemasonry owes its existence to Bacon's hints, carried out by Ashmole and
his brother Astrologers and Rosicrucians. It is somewhat curious that this little romance has attr acted so
little attention from orthodox Masons. Bro. Howard's* theory, as regards St. Albans being an original
Masonic centre, and the recognition of the Lansdown MS., as a tolerably ancient authority, would lend a
more important aspect to Bacon's New Atlantis. Let us see how facts and dates will accommodate
themselves to probability that the incomplete sketch embodies Masonry allegory. Anderson, in 1723, asserts
that there was an old Masonic tradition to the effect that Queen Elizabeth (about 1561) contemplated the
suppression of the Masonic assemblies at York. In spite of all the attacks, often justifiable, made upon
Anderson, there is no reason to doubt this much. If such occurrence happened it would lead to enquiry with
the law officers of the Crown, and at that period the Secretary of State was a Lincolnshire man, Wm. Cecil,
afterwards created Baron Burleigh, who died in 1598. It is believed that the Lansdown MS. was formerly in
his possession. The Lord Keeper at the same time was Sir Nicholas Bacon, who died in 1578, when his son
Francis was left to his own resources at 18 years of age—the same whom Pope styles " The greatest, wisest,
meanest of mankind." Burleigh and Bacon (the elder) married two sisters, and hence Burleigh was uncle to
Francis, and for 37 years they were contemporary. Now, it was five to six years previous to writing the New
Atlantis sketch in 1624, that Bacon was created Baron Verulam and Viscount St. Albans. Such a man as
Bacon would be sure to enquire into the history, and even the legends, of a place from which he took his
titles of Verulam and St. Albans, and it is at least no very great stretch of imagination to suppose that he had
seen the Lansdown MS. when it was in possession of his uncle Burleigh but a mind such as Bacon's would
scarcely be satisfied until he had enquired fully into the esoteric side of such a society as that figuring in the
Lansdown MS., if he was aware of the legend. In any case, we can scarcely fail to see that the unfinished
essay reveals a knowledge on the part of Bacon beyond what is to be found in the mere text of the MS.
Charges, and yet it allegorises them in an unmistakable way to all Masons of our time. It is admittedly a
fragment compiled after Bacon had been condemned for bribery, and had retired broken-hearted to his
books. Through stress of weather a traveller was thrown upon an island called Bensalem, which was itself
known to mankind, but it held a college established for 1900 years known only to the initiated, called the
House of Solomon or the College of the Six Days' Works. They had found in the sea a cedar chest, out of
which sprang a green palm branch, and the books comprising the Bible. It was a scientific and philosophic
school composed of fellows or brethren, and novices or apprentices, all of whom took an oath of secrecy, in
which was an exception, that some of them " we reveal sometimes to the State and some not." The Elder,
King, and Lawgiver will not consent that the secrets of the island be betrayed to strangers, but it is said to
have been visited 37 years previously. I think, on mature consideration, that we must come to the conclusion
that the New Atlantis embodies, in a hidden vein, the ideas of a great mind upon our Charges and their
attendant ceremonies, and that the sketch was intended to show, in a covert way, how the value of the then
association or brotherhood of Freemasonry might be enhanced by converting it into a great literary system. I
do not propose to trouble you further upon these old Charges, but some brother may perhaps discover more
in this data than I can :—Solomon's Temple was dedicated 1004 B.C. ; if we deduct that from about 1900
years it leaves us A.D. 896 or the time of Alfred, but might give us Edward and Edwin. If we calculate from
1624 it gives 276 B.C., or the period of Euclid and the Ptolomys. Probably nothing serious is intended in this
data, or by the statement that 37 years previously the Island of Bensalem had entertained a visitor. If we
knew that Bacon actually allegorised his own reception, we might draw conclusions.— JOHN YARKER, in the
London Freemason.
*Bro Howard is a member of Lodge Waitohi, Picton, New Zealand.—[ED. C.]
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HE GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND
OF ANTIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS
(80 LODGES, WITH A MEMBERSHIP OF 3200)
GRAND LODGE OFFICERS - - - - 1892-3
GRAND LODGE OFFICERS - - - - 1892-3.
1. Grand Master... ... M W Bro MALCOLM NICCOL, Auckland
5. Deputy Grand Master R W Bro ALBERT KAYE, Christchurch
8. Grand Superintendents—
Wellington ...... R W Bro HERBERT J WILLIAMS, Wellington
Otago R W Bro ALFRED H BURTON, Dunedin
Southland R W Bro WILLIAM H HALL, Invercargill
11. Grand Wardens Senior R W Bro ROBERT C HAMERTON, Wellington
Junior R W Bro ELIJAH TITCHENER, Dunedin
13. Grand Chaplains--
Auckland... .. V W Bro Rev. SAMUEL J. NEILL, Thames
Wellington ...... V W Bro Rev THOS PORRITT, Featherston
Canterbury ... .. V W Bro Rev EDWARD E CHAMBERS, Lyttelton
Otago V W Bro Rev WYNTER BLATHWAYT, Shag Point
15. Grand Treasurer... 'V W Bro ALEX STUART RUSSELL, P.D. G. M. , Auck.
17. Grand Registrar ... V W Bro GEORGE W BASLEY, Auckland
19. President of the Board
of General Purposes V W Bro ALFRED KIDD, Auckland
21. Grand Secretary... V W Bro Rev WILLIAM RONALDSON - Address,
Masonic Institute, Auckland
23 President of the Board of
Benevolence V W Bro JAMES F LOGAN, Auckland
25. Grand Deacons
Senior - W Bro JOSEPH G HARKNESS, M. H. R., Nelson
W Bro JOHN THOMPSON, Lyttelton
Junior W Bro DAVID GREIG, Wellington
W Bro MILES REGINALD BREE, Gore
27. Grand Superintendent of Works. W Bro C A WUNDRAM, Napier
29. AssistantGrand Registrar V W Bro HENRY CAPLEN, Hawera
31. Assistant Grand Secretary V W Bro WILLIAM D LYON, Wellington
33. Grand Director of Ceremonies W Bro H CROMWELL TEWSLEY, Auckland
35. Assistant Grand Director
of Ceremonies W Bro WM G MEHAFFEY, Invercargill
37. Grand Bible Bearer ... W Bro JAMES ANDERSON, Auckland
39. Grand Sword Bearer ... W Bro ROBERT HAMILTON, Oamaru
41. Assist. Grand Sword. Bearer W Bro PHILIP H JOLLEY, Waipukurau
T
43. Grand Standard Bearer W Bro JOHN WM ANDERSON, Lincoln
45. Assistant Grand Standard
Bearer W Bro THOMAS MCWHIRTER, Ngapara.
47. Grand Organist••• W Bro HENRY WALKER, M.D. Auckland.
49. Assistant Grand Organist W Bro RICHARD T SEARELL, Christchurch.
51. Grand Pursuivant ... W Bro GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Hamilton.
53. Grand Stewards—
Auckland .. ... W Bro SIMEON INDER, Coromandel
.. W Bro ROBERT HARRIS, Te Aroha
,, W Bro W M CHAPMAN, Auckland
Wellington ... W Bro WILLIAM TOOGOOD, Featherston
,, W Bro WILLIAM L BAILEY, Feilding
” W Bro GEORGE KIRTON, Feilding
,, W Bro JAMES AITKEN, Masterton
,, W Bro THOMAS P COVENEY, Wellington
,, W Bro ALEX BLACK, Pahiatua
,, W Bro THOMAS HOWARD, Waipawa
,, W Bro JOHN PICKETT, Waipawa
Canterbury ... W Bro ANDREW B BLACKETT, Rangiora
,, W Bro THOS BOYD, Rangiora
,, W Bro JAMES S KEITH, Timaru
,, W Bro JOHN BROADHEAD, Timaru
,, W Bro JOHN C REVELL, Lincoln
,, W Bro CHAS. LORD RUSSELL, Christchurch
Otago ... W Bro WM. HOPKINS, Palmerston
., ... W Bro ARTHUR G CREAGH, Oamaru
Southland W Bro J SLONE MILLAR, Gore
,, W Bro WILLIAM SMITH, Invercargill
,, ... W Bro SAMUEL NICOL, Bluff
Nelson W Bro ROBERT ALLAN, Nelson
Kumara.. W Bro AMOS B WILBY, Kumara.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE.
Meet on Fridays, at 1.30 p.m., at the office of the Grand Secretary, Masonic institute, Auckland.
Ex Officio. —Bros. M. Niccol, GM; A. Kaye, D.G M.; A. S. Russell, G.T. ; and Rev. W. Ronaldson, G. Sec.
Elected.—Bros. J. F. Logan (President), A. B. Burgess, Thos. Thomas, A. H. Jones, Geo. Hardy, W.
Dunwoodie, Thos. L. Murray, E D. McLennan, H. J. H. Elliott, Thos. Mackenzie, C. A. C. Hardy, A. R Kirk,
Wm. Grummitt, F. P. Corkill, A. Cross, and A. W. Bain.
________________________________
BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES.
The regular date of meeting is LIOW fixed for the first Thursday in each month, at 8 p.m., at the Grand
Secretary's office, Masonic Institute, Auckland.
Ex Officio. —Bros. M. Niccol, G.M. ; A. Kaye, D.G. M. ; R. C. Hamerton, S.G.W.; E. Titchener, J.G. W.; A.
S. Russell. G.T.; G. W. Basley, G.R. ; and Rev. W. Ronaldson, G. Sec.
Elected. —Br, s. A. Kidd (President), G H. Powlty, W. H. Cooper, J. W. Ellison, John Page, T. W. Allen, S.
Vosper, S. D. Fianna, H. J. Williams, Geo. Robertson, E. T. (lillon, A. H. Burton, T. G. De Renzy, C. P.
Hulbert, R. C. Bishop, and W. H. Hall.
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