The New Zealand Craftsman Wellington, New Zealand, June 2, 1913

MASONIC CHURCH SERVICE.
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What is described by the local Press as " An Imposing Masonic Demonstration " took place at St. Mark's
Church, Dalston, under the auspices of the Stoke Newington Lodge, No. 2552, on the afternoon of Sunday,
23rd ult. Several hundred brethren, in full regalia, attended, and were accompanied by the Mayor and
Mayoress of Hackney, Bro. Councillor H. E. Davenport, J.P., and Mrs. Davenport, and a number of members
and officials of the Hackney Borough Council. The whole of the proceedings were of a dignified character,
and were witnessed by crowds of people, of whom many failed to gain admission to the church. The service
was arranged with the view of assisting the fund for urgently needed repairs of the church, and the occasion
perhaps testified more than all else to the deep-seated feelings of reverence and philanthropy which inspired
so large an attendance of the brethren.

The procession was in itself an imposing feature of the proceedings. The brethren, to the number of about
four hundred, assembled in the lecture hall, and marched in two sections into the church, the sun shining
brilliantly and adding considerably to the general effect. The first section was headed by Bro. James W.
Matthews, P.A.C.D.C., and several Deacons. Four silver trumpeters — Bros. J. Solomon; Frank E. James,
Sydney Moxon, and Kettlewell — with their instruments, walked before H.M. the King's State Trumpeter.
Bro. Short. Then came the brethren and members of the Stoke Newington Lodge, with the W.M., Bro. A. E.
Robey. To these succeeded R.A. Masons, four Lewises carrying the V.S.L. -Masters Charles Tapping, Noel
Ketley, Sydney Clarke, and H. F. Wallis ; the G.L. officers present bringing up the rear of the Ala-sonic
procession proper. These were followed by the municipal representatives.

When the first part of the procession had been seated in the church, the second section proceeded, under the
direction of Bro. R. J. Hatfield, P.A.O.D.C. The silver trumpeters had been escorted back to the robing-room,
and now took their places, preceding the Berger and choir, Bro. Tijou, Bro. Rev. E. A. Marriott, M.A. ; Bro.
Rev. Prebendary E. A. B. Saunders, M.A. (the G.Chap., and a former Vicar of St. Mark's) ; and the Vicar,
Rev. G. C. Daw, M.A. As the processionists entered the church, Bro. J. W. lvimey, Mus.Bac., P.G.Org.,
played voluntaries, and the service was opened with a processional hymn, the church being crowded in every
part. Versicles and responses were led by the Rev. E. A. Marriott., and the Lessons for the day were read by
Bro. Tijou.

The sermon was preached by the G.Chap., who took for his text the words. " Am I my brother's keeper ?"-
He said that his purpose that afternoon was to trace the existence and growth of man's heritage and influence,
and to emphasise the responsibility which attached to the individual exercise of that influence. This was
surely the bedrock of those principles upon which their great society was founded. Although conditions
changed, responsibility remained. Modern civilisation had linked nation to nation, and man to man. The
interlacing of human influence to human destiny was the marvel of the philosopher, and the despair of the
moralist. This burden of responsibility towards the great human family they, who belonged to that great
brotherhood, had to face. A life-long obligation was imposed upon them, as those who knew something of
the power of true godliness. They would best be able to carry out the Divine command by letting their light
so shine before men that they might see their good works and glorify God who was in heaven. Their mission
in life was to search for the missing ships; to make the navigation of the ocean of this life a little better, a
little easier, for the derelicts of life.

Surely the urgent call to the brethren of that great society was even stronger than to those without ! It was a
Divine crusade. Surely it was their privilege to help Him to be satisfied at the last? That was their true work
as Masons, and as men of God. After the patriarchal benediction, the great gathering joined in singing the
National Anthem, and a recessional march was played as the, brethren, the Mayor, aldermen, and councillors
left the church, the congregation standing in their places meanwhile. The offertory realised between £60 and
£70. — " The Freemason," London.