SHOULD FREEMASONRY BE ASSOCIATED...














    SHOULD FREEMASONRY BE ASSOCIATED WITH


    PUBLIC QUESTIONS.


    A PAPER was recently read in the Installed Masters' Lodge of Wellington, which excited keen discussion.


    Although it bore the harmless heading of "An Application of the First Degree," the matter was not quite so


    innocent as the title; indeed, some of the suggestions quite stirred the grave and reverend seigneurs, and


    stimulated the debate. This journal admired the firm stand taken by the writer of the paper, notably on the


    question of "Gambling" and "Pictures," but experienced a feeling of regret that he wavered somewhat on


    other questions. For example, he says ;—


    "When consideration is given to the quality of the men from whom Freemasonry draws its membership,


    to the standing of these men in the community, and to the principles which they have heard so often


    expounded in their Lodge, it will perhaps be admitted that the Craft, as represented by the individual


    members who compose it, does not exercise nearly so potent an influence on the everyday life of the


    community as might reasonably be expected of it. It would perhaps be not too harsh a criticism of the


    Craft to say of it that, except in regard to charity, there is not sufficient practice in proportion to the


    amount of preaching. "


    Why hesitate to say quite plainly, that there is not sufficient practice in proportion to the amount of


    preaching. It is one of the lamentations of the Craft that so much Freemasonry is quietly laid to rest in the


    apron case with the close of each meeting. Our brother then says :—


    "The preaching is of the best ; the personal influence of individual members is, speaking generally, of


    highly salutary kind; but the social influence of the Craft as an institution is not very apparent. Hence


    arises the question : Is this as it should be? Which leads to the suggestion that is the object of this


    paper."


    And that object is to try and prove that the Craft should accept the responsibility of the individual, should go


    out into the world and make its influence felt. The author of the paper complains that "a study of the names


    of those citizens who are most noted for public service does not disclose a very large proportion of members


    of the Craft." And he then makes the suggestion that the Craft should encourage its members to offer


    themselves for public service. To which we emphatically reply, "God forbid!" In almost every instance,


    except those few exceptions which go to prove the rule, when active and prominent Freemasons enter the


    arena of politics, it sounds the farewell note to their activity in Freemasonry. As an instance, it may be


    mentioned that there are a number of Freemasons in the present Parliament— including three P.Dep. G.Ms.


    of the G.L. of New Zealand—one of whom only retired from office two years ago last May. And so far as we


    are aware, the Masonic Hall, Boulcott Street, has not received one visit of a Parliamentarian brother during


    the whole term of the recent session. This by the way. The writer of the paper under discussion does not


    recommend the Craft to proclaim a programme of moral and social reform. But, he says, " there are


    movements for the public good that the Craft might very well encourage its members to support, and there


    are influences that the Craft and its members would be justified in opposing." Now, there is no use mincing


    matters. If this means anything, it is that the institution of Freemasonry must forsake its traditions and


    customs of past ages, and take a stand in all the turmoil of the public life of the Dominion. Indeed, our


    brother makes no secret of his intention, as later in his address he says :— "A few moments' thought will


    bring the conviction that Freemasonry is exceptionally well constituted for extending the area, for increasing


    the audience, for a voice that has a worthy message to deliver." Who is to be the arbiter as to both the "voice"


    and the "worthiness of the message"? Further, where is the line of demarcation to be drawn, and who is to


    draw it? There is only one way in which such a course could be efficaciously employed, and that is, an


    absolute unanimity. But will anyone dare affirm that a complete unanimity of 12,000 persons, no matter what


    the bond of unity, could by any possibility be obtained? We unhesitatingly reply in the negative. Take, for


    example, two subjects of the paper's condemnation in which we agree, gambling and pictures. Could


    agreement be obtained? The purposes of Freemasonry may be briefly defined as Fraternity, Philanthrophy,


    Humanity, and the Acquisition of Knowledge. So soon as it steps outside its private character to become


    embroiled in social questions, politics, or religion, it will immediately stir up strife and provoke dissension,





    and undermine the very foundations upon which the edifice is built. The ancient mysteries of Ceres, or as


    they were more generally known, the Eleusinians, held sway in Greece. The primary reason for the progress


    and stability of their mysteries was the care exercised in the admission of neophytes, who were subjected to


    the most severe ordeals. They continued to flourish until long after the Christian era, but at length


    degenerated. In the fourth century, Christianity had begun to triumph. The pagans, desirous of making


    converts, threw open the hitherto inaccessible portals of their mysterious rites. The strict scrutiny of the


    candidate's past life, and the demand for proof of irreproachable conduct, were no longer deemed


    indispensable. The vile and the vicious were indiscriminately admitted to participate in privileges hitherto


    granted to the noble and virtuous. Finally Theodosius, Emperor of the East, by a general edict of


    proscription, ordered the whole of the pagan mysteries to be abolished 1,800 years after their first


    establishment. The question of Freemasonry coming out of its private isolation, and mixing in the social,


    political, or religious affairs of the world, is not in any sense a new idea. It has its advocates in many


    countries, and since the war some of these champions of a public policy have not hesitated to place the


    responsibility of the continuance of the fighting on the shoulders of the Craft. But in all the chimerical


    schemes suggested, not one has been evolved having the faintest claims to practicality. As history


    occasionally repeats itself, so Freemasonry should take warning from the fate of the Eluesinians, and should


    a departure be taken from the fundamental principles upon which the institution is founded, the disintegra-


    tion of the present system will speedily follow, and whatever may remain will only be the ghost of the


    Freemasonry of the past. The remedy for present omissions is not with the institution, but rests on the


    shoulders of the individual. If Freemasons in their intercourse with the world do not hesitate to make it


    abundantly clear that they feared God and honoured the King, that they were fair and honest in all their


    dealings, that their senses were defiled by the hearing of profane language, that they hated lying as they


    hated the devil, and that all offences contrary to the law of God and the ordinances of the realm were


    repugnant to them. If it became manifest by their deeds that they practised charity in its fullest and broadest


    sense, that they were out to relieve those who from circumstances of unavoidable calamity and misfortune


    were reduced to the lowest ebb of poverty and distress. That they were prepared to pour the healing balm of


    consolation into the wounds of those who were in any way afflicted in mind, body, and estate, thus would the


    reputation of Freemasonry increase a hundredfold. Each of such members would be the little leaven that


    would help to permeate the mass of humanity, and by example and practice would conduce towards placing


    Freemasonry on such a pedestal as it can never hope to reach by any phantasmal dream of benefits that may


    accrue from plunging it in the vortex of direct public action.


    ———————


    THE FESTIVE BOARD AND HARMONY.


    ——<>——


    Although it may not be imperatively necessary that a Masonic Lodge should adjourn from labour to


    refreshment, there is little doubt that the festive board promotes good-fellowship, and tends to cement


    fraternal feeling. The one essential is—apart from the enjoyment of creature comforts—that the gathering


    should be conducted on proper lines, and all the efforts that are intended to contribute to the general


    enjoyment should be decorous in character. Comic selections, whether recited or sung, require careful


    watching, as the average music hall items are not too healthy in character, and anything that suggests a


    double entendre should be suppressed with a rigorous hand. It is quite possible that such items may induce


    laughter and applause, but the fact remains that such alleged humour degrades Freemasonry and is not in


    keeping with any part of the system. In Wellington City the Craft is greatly indebted to a "quartette party,"


    who for some years have unostentatiously placed their services at the disposal of the brethren, and the


    beautiful part singing has always given unalloyed pleasure. At a recent installation gathering, the quartette


    party rendered quite a number of items most charmingly, and the party was made the subject of a special


    toast, which was very happily proposed. The distinguished brother who undertook the pleasing duty


    commented on the fact that though this form of entertainment had long been accepted with avidity by


    Lodges, the service had been accepted rather as a matter of course, and had never prompted any recognition.


    The proposer pointed out that harmony was the foundation upon which the superstructure of Freemasonry


    was built, and in his opinion part singing was the harmony of music. And if the brethren could induce more


    of this harmony to replace items of a more than doubtful character, it would add greatly to the healthiness of


    the festive board and the reputation of Freemasonry. There was not the slightest doubt as to the appreciation


    of the brethren, and the absence of outspoken recognition was due to absence of mind rather than want of


    heart. He said that though good wholesome vocal and instrumental music had largely superseded that of a


    questionably comic character, there were still Lodges wherein the latter prevailed, but the speaker expressed




    the hope that the time would come when this form of presumed enjoyment would be totally excluded from


    Masonic gatherings. Needless to say, the toast was received with acclamation by all present.


    ———————


    CHRISTMAS AND WAR.


    ——<>——


    Christmas is once more near at hand, and there will be many sorrowing households as a result of the


    operation of the war during the year that is vanishing. Were we disposed to be satirical, we might quote


    Longfellow's " Christmas Hymn " :—


    " Then from each black accursed mouth


    The cannon thundered in the south,


    And with the sound


    The carols drowned


    Of peace on earth, goodwill to men."


    In any case, the lines are apposite, and indicate the futility of human hopes for a brief duration of the war.


    Three years ago hearts beat high with hope that the Christmas of 1915 would be celebrated with the nations


    of the world at peace. Even the prediction of the late Lord Kitchener of a three years' duration of the war was


    received with scepticism. Yet that limit has been exceeded, and the coming Christmastide has never


    presented a more gloomy outlook than in this year of grace 1917. This may be pessimism, but as it is truth it


    requires to be looked squarely in the face in the interests of the future. The wholesale slaughter of men by


    hundreds of thousands, on the one hand, and the tyranny of mob law which is devastating one of the largest


    empires of the world, on the other, naturally lead to the query, what will the end be? In conjunction with


    other countries under British rule, the Dominion of New Zealand is expending the life-blood of the flower of


    its manhood, and early in the New Year the maturer reserve will be required to augment the forces. This will


    not tend towards a merry Christmas or a happy New Year. We are happy only in the knowledge that there


    has been no hanging back in the past, nor will there be in the future. As Tennyson has it—


    " Britain's myriad voices call,


    Sons, be welded, each and all,


    Into one imperial whole,


    One with Britain, heart and soul !


    One life, one flag, one fleet, one throne !


    Britons, hold your own !"


    Edmund Burke has rightly said : " The blood of man should never be shed but to redeem the blood of man. It


    is well shed for our family, for our friends, for our God, for our country, for our kind; the rest is vanity ; the


    rest is crime." There is one reflection that should ever be before our eyes, and may offer some little


    Christmas consolation. It is this : The soldiers of New Zealand are not only fighting in defence of the


    Motherland and her possessions, but also to redeem her people from absolute slavery—and worse. The


    people of New Zealand, under German dominance, would be reduced to a serfdom of the lowest description,


    and her daughters to a fate too horrible to contemplate, but of which the examples to date have been


    atrocious in their invention and malignant in execution. If we may not be very merry during the approaching


    festive season, we may at least invoke the aid of the Great Architect to assist our arms and promote such a


    peace as will alone prevent the world from being converted into a sink of bestial iniquity.


    ———————————————————————————————————————————


    News and Notes
    ———————————————————————————————————————————


    THE balance-sheet of Lodge Waiwhetu—which is still in its infancy—shows an excess of assets of £675 18s.


    11d.


    A NUMBER of the New Plymouth brethren who were associated with the late Bro. Alfred Richard Lennon in


    Ngamotu Lodge, desire to express their gratitude to R.W. Bro. S. Clifton Bingham for his kindness in


    attending the burial in Christchurch at their request and on very short notice.


    MARLBOROUGH Lodges have responded splendidly to the Silver Baton appeal, having disposed of all tickets


    sent them, and, like Oliver Twist, are asking for more. Well done, Marlborough!




    IT is noted with much regret that the names of several New Zealand Freemasons appear in the long casualty


    lists now being published. As the end of the war is not yet in sight, the necessity for building up the Special


    War Benevolent Fund has become very evident. In the circumstances it is anticipated that the special effort


    being made in this direction by the Wellington Silver Baton Committee will continue to receive the hearty


    support of readers of the CRAFTSMAN.


    RECENT reports indicate that the Silver Baton appeal has been well received throughout the territory, and


    subscriptions are coming in freely. The committee state that brethren who object to anything in the shape of


    an art union may subscribe their shillings without any qualms of conscience. If a subscriber does not desire


    to have the chance of securing this handsome memento of the appeal for his Lodge, all that he has to do is to


    retain the ticket as a receipt and inform the vendor, who will mark the counterfoil "donation," and the shilling


    will find-its way into the Special War Fund.


    ANOTHER instance of the activity displayed in connection with the N.Z.E.F. Masonic Association has just


    come to hand in the shape of a resolution passed at a meeting of the brethren serving in Palestine and Egypt.


    The resolution reads as follows : " That this meeting of Freemasons, held in Palestine on 27th May, 1917,


    within a short distance of King Solomon's Temple, and composed of brethren serving with the N.Z.E.F., send


    fraternal greetings and hearty good wishes to their brethren in New Zealand."


    WE very heartily thank several brethren who, in response to our request, kindly forwarded copies of the


    August number of the N.Z. CRAFTSMAN, which had run out of print.


    FOR some time the management committee of Lodge Taringatura has had under discussion the making of the


    Master's collar an object worthy both of the Lodge and of the occupant of the Master's chair. It was decided


    to have prepared for the collar a chain consisting of silver discs, on each of which is engraved the name of a


    past occupant of the chair. The intention is that each succeeding year a new disc will be added, bearing the


    name of the newly installed Master. Thus in time the Master's collar will prove an epitome of the history of


    the Lodge.


    THE presentation made in Wellington Rose Croix Chapter, No. 91, last month is the first of its kind made


    during the last twenty years' history of the Chapter, a fact that will, no doubt, enhance its value to the


    recipient.


    WE regret that a number of Lodge reports were crowded out of last issue.


    A DUNEDIN correspondent, in reporting the joint installation of Otago and Maori R.A. Chapters, laments that


    the ceremony was not concluded until 10.15, and a number of companions were thereby debarred from


    participating at the festive board. He suggests that in future the ceremony be commenced in the afternoon. In


    the Wellington district the Conclave of I.P. and B. of M.M. are always held prior to the actual installation


    ceremonies in the body of the Chapter.


    To those brethren and Lodges who desire to nominate V.W. Bro. Hon. A. L. Herdman as G.M. for the


    ensuing year we may explain that Bro. Herdman has already notified his assent to nomination in writing, so


    that it will not be necessary to include such assent on any other nomination paper.


    THE cash balances to credit of the several funds of the G.L. of New Zealand to 31st October last were :


    General Fund, £4,223 17s. 5d. ; Benevolence, £2,511 10s. 4d. ; Annuity, £30,902 15s. 8d. ; War, £10,504 4s.


    ld. ; Circular Appeals, £1,239 13s. 10d. Total amount of invested funds, £50,093 12s. 10d.


    THE November meeting of Lodge Hinemoa was very largely attended, the special attractions being two


    initiations, each of the candidates being a Lewis, and an address by M.W Bro. H. J. Williams.


    RUAPEHU R.A. CHAPTER, Marton, which became dormant some three years ago, has now petitioned Sup. G.


    Committee for a return of the Charter and authority to resume working. The application is endorsed by the G.


    Supt. of the district, and will, doubtless, be acceded to.


    THE many friends of R.W. Bro. John Thornton, Prov.G.M. of Canterbury, will be pleased to know that he is


    progressing favourably after the serious operation he has recently undergone.


    A COMMUNICATION has been received by the G.L. of New Zealand from the G.L. of France (A. and A.


    Scottish Rite), inviting the establishment of official relations and the exchange of representatives. After


    discussion the B. of G.P. decided to await the decision of the G.L. of England before taking action.


    THE question has recently recurred of division of the large Auckland district, but it has been decided that, in


    preference to making a division, G.L. be asked to authorise the appointment of two Deputies to the


    Prov.G.M., with extended powers.





    THE December meeting of the B. of G.P. of the G.L. of New Zealand will be held on the second, in lieu of


    the third, Friday, so as not to clash with the Christmas holidays.


    THE B. of G.P. of the G.L. of New Zealand at its November meeting voted the sum of £100 to the Red Cross


    Fund.


    W. BRO. W. HALL, who was so seriously wounded by the robber who recently stuck up a motor and stole


    £3,000 of miners' pay money, is the present G.Sd.B. of the G.L. Of New Zealand.


    ———————


    SOUTHLAND NOTES.


    ——<>——


    At the next meeting of Lodge Orepuki the W.M. and officers of Lodge St. John will conduct the ceremony of


    passing. The hope is expressed for a full attendance of members. W. Bro. C. C. Nicholas, W.M., is a good


    visitor, and, notwithstanding the distance, he is frequently in attendance with some Orepuki brethren at town


    Lodge meetings. Therefore it is fitting that W. Bro. Bonifant (W.M., Lodge St. John) should be accompanied


    by a strong following on the occasion of his visit.


    * * * *


    Lodge Fortitude is maintaining interest among the brethren at Bluff. At the meeting on 14th November W.


    Bro. E. Parker, W.M., read a paper on "The Interior of the Temple," which was much appreciated. Two


    candidates were proposed for admission and one for affiliation.


    * * * *


    Considering that the Dep.G.M., Bro. J. J. Clark, met representatives from thirteen different Lodges, delivered


    four addresses within as many temples, contributed speeches at each of the after-meetings, motored over the


    greater part of both the eastern and western districts, made many new acquaintances and renewed several old


    ones, and conducted the work of investing Bro. Hoyles as Prov.G.M., his "two days rest cure" must have


    satisfied his medical adviser.


    * * * *


    That instruction meetings are kept true to their designation is fully evinced by the excellent work of W. Bro.


    J. Buchanan and his officers at the regular meetings of Lodge Victoria. On 9th November the ceremony of


    initiation was conducted in a manner reflecting the greatest credit on all concerned, and the complimentary


    remarks from visitors were thoroughly deserved.


    * * * *


    The Masonic Orchestra, established some six or seven months ago, has reached a high standard. Members


    are regular in attendance at the weekly rehearsals, and the best of fellowship exists. Some four months ago it


    was suggested to set aside a special musical evening, when brethren would have an opportunity of bringing


    their wives or lady friends to hear this musical combination. The time, however, is passing on, and nothing


    further has been heard of the proposal. Are the W.Ms. of the three town Lodges so fully occupied as not to


    be able to arrange for an evening, or what is it?


    * * * *


    The Southland correspondent would be glad to hear from Lodge Wairaki. A note in the CRAFTSMAN now


    and again might help to bridge the gulf which W. Bro. Excell spoke about regarding visiting, when replying


    to a toast at Lodge Aparima installation.


    * * * *


    Regarding the article contributed by a visiting brother from America in last month's CRAFTSMAN, the general


    opinion seems to be that it was not worth the valuable space it occupied. If some of the assertions in the


    contribution are typical of the experiences of a 32 deg. brother, then New Zealand Freemasons may


    congratulate themselves on their own standing.


    * * * *


    According to a hint dropped by R.W. Bro. J. J. Clark, there is a prospect of G.L. communication being held


    at Invercargill in about eighteen months' time. This is welcome news to Southland brethren.


    * * * *


    The ceremony of passing, conducted by W. Bro. F. Bonifant and his officers at Lodge St. John on Friday,


    16th November; was greatly enhanced by the presence of the Masonic Orchestral. The ritual work was


    faithfully performed, a marked feature of the evening being the punctuality observed.





    ———————


    NELSON NOTES.


    ——<>——


    Bro. Edge, of Lodge Greymouth, E.C., who has been a resident of Nelson for some time, died at the Nelson


    Hospital on 1st November, and was buried at Stoke. Lodge Southern Star, E.c., attended in good numbers to


    pay their last respects tn. the deceased, reading a portion of the Masonic burial service. Victory and Forest


    Lodges were represented.


    * * * *


    Victory Lodge is making due provision for its officers who may be called up for active service. The calling


    up of the Second Division means to a certainty that several officers must necessarily bear arms for their


    country sooner or later, and whilst these brethren are on such duty the Lodge feels also its duty to them, and


    a motion appearing in the report of the Lodge's last meeting will, if carried, preserve the continuity of office


    to the deserving.


    * * * *


    At the last meeting of Victory Lodge one applicant for Masonic honours was seventy-two years of age. He


    was duly elected, and when he becomes an active brother will, no doubt, venture the remark of so many


    thousands of others : "Why did I remain out of this grand Order so long ?"


    * * * *


    Forest Lodge, at its installation on 15th November, had the largest -meeting ever held in its hall. There were


    no less than thirty-three P.Ms. present. The Lodge itself is not a large one, but is more than holding its own;


    and with its present officers the harvest in respect to good work is likely to be a prolific one.


    * * * *


    The lot of a Prov.G.M. is not always a happy one—well, if happy, not always comfortable. Our much


    respected Prov.G.M., R.W. Bro. C. H. Mills, had to abandon the installation at St. Cuthbert's, Collingwood,


    on 27th October. He had completed that for Motueka on the Wednesday, returned to Nelson on Thursday to


    be present at the installation of Victory Chapter the day after, and set off on Friday morning on his rash


    errand of duty. The weather was dirty, and finally he and his party came to a standstill at Upper Takaka.


    There was no one present able to perform the miracle of dividing the waters, and the car was forced to return.


    Nothing daunted, St. Cuthbert's put off its annual gathering until 16th November, when the report was "all's


    well."


    * * * *


    The Forest Lodge party, returning from the Motueka installation last month, nearly got out of its depth. Like


    the virgins of old, there was apparently insufficient oil in the lamp of the car (it is not stated whether the


    party itself was sufficiently fortified). However, the car failed to negotiate one of the Moutere turns, but,


    instead of overturning, the vehicle gently slid down the hill, being eventually stopped by a fence. There was


    a general thanksgiving that serious accident had been 1 avoided. But how were they to get to Wakefield was


    the problem. Again the Prov.G.M., who was some distance ahead, scented trouble, and returned to enquire


    the cause. Needless it; to say, there was further thanksgiving, as R.W. Bro. Mills offered to give the whole


    party a lift. He undertook a big responsibility, but, as usual, carried out the job, as is his wonted custom.


    * * * *


    Bro. G. M. Simpson was installed into the chair of W.M. of Lodge Southern Star, E.C., on 30th December.


    The city and suburban Lodges made a good showing. The ceremony was well conducted by W. Bro. W.


    Thompson, the I.P.M.


    ———————


    FREEMASONRY AND THE WAR.


    ——<>——


    [Address by M.W. BRO. M. NICCOL, at the Jubilee Celebrations,


    Thursday, 8th November, St. Andrew Kil., No. 79.]


    I have been invited by this Lodge to deliver a short address upon Freemasonry in its relation to the war, and


    the influence which each may exercise upon the other.


    1 was in London on that memorable day in August, 1914, when the rulers of our Empire found themselves


    confronted with the momentous question, "shall we stand aside and let our ally, Belgium, be overrun by the


    German hosts, or shall we brave all consequences by barring their progress ?" Not one instant did those




    rulers hesitate; we were pledged to maintain the integrity of Belgium as a nation, Britain's honour was at


    stake, the die was cast, the sword was drawn in defence of that honour.


    I had frequent opportunities of discussing with prominent members of the G.L. of England the probable


    effect upon Freemasonry of the outbreak of war, and I chanced to be present in the G.L. of Scotland a few


    days after that event and in the G.L. of England early in September, 1914. I can only say that my personal


    observations upon both of these occasions simply reflected the spirit of the nation, and amply proved how


    deeply rooted in Freemasons' hearts are the sacred dictates of truth, of honour, and of loyalty.


    Our foes had assumed that Britain was decadent, that disaffection permeated the Empire, and that


    disintegration would be the inevitable result of a big display of armed force. Little did they dream that their


    war torch would reveal the British Empire resplendent ill its loyalty and devotion to the noblest ideals and


    traditions of the Anglo-Saxon, and standing in peerless solidarity to defend a priceless birthright, to attain


    which our forefathers fought and died.


    From every part of her far-flung dominions the Empire's sons have hurried to her aid. Her children, natural


    and adopted, from every continent and island, are bearing witness to their loyalty, even to the shedding of


    their blood, and in the forefront of them all stands our own fair land.


    I had a conversation with the G.Sec. of England, the late R.W. Bro. Sir Edward Letchworth, about a month


    after Great Britain entered the war, and he, in common with many other prominent Freemasons in London,


    appeared then to have great hopes that the very friendly relations very recently existing between English and


    German Masons would have a marked influence in mitigating the bitterness of the conflict and lessening the


    horrors of war. You are probably aware that shortly before the war a number of German Freemasons visited


    London as the guests of London Freemasons, and were most hospitably entertained and taken all over the


    country. As a majority of these visitors were naval and military men, no doubt they kept their eyes and ears


    open when they were being taken round our dock-yards, etc., and there is reason to fear that the Masonic


    visit was merely a cloak for a spying expedition, and that, in fact, Freemasonry, like everything else, is being


    exploited by the Huns for the furtherance of their own wicked ends. Be that as it may, we know now, at any


    rate, that there are no fiercer foes opposing us than German Freemasons; none more loudly denounce and


    strafe England and everything English ; and there can be no reasonable doubt that in Germany Masonry (so-


    called) is serving merely as a medium for the worship of "Kultur, " otherwise brute force. True Masonry


    cannot grow in the soil which nourishes such poison, and we can no longer fraternise with those who have no


    regard for honour and truth.


    The sooner and the more clearly we realise that no trust can be reposed in the promises or professions of foes


    who deem anything right which promotes the end they have in view, the fewer errors we shall have to


    bewail. I am led to make this remark from its having come to my knowledge the other day that strenuous


    efforts are being made by Germany to drag Freemasonry into the arena of conflict, and incidentally, no


    doubt, to use it to disturb the friendly relations existing between the allied nations.


    It may be news to some of you to know that a great congress of Continental Freemasons took place in Paris


    recently to discuss terms of peace. France, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland, Spain, Brazil, and


    the Argentine were represented; and the result has certainly not been beneficial, but might easily prove


    disastrous. There can be little doubt it is another of the Kaiser's kites, like the Pope's intervention and the


    Socialist conference at Stockholm.


    It is also generally known that American G.Ls. are many of them captivated with the idea of Freemasonry


    taking up the role of peacemaker of the world. Some of the speeches on the subject are very fine. I am


    tempted to quote, but must hasten on; and, between ourselves, I am not in harmony with the idea. I believe


    firmly that the day on which our institution begins to meddle in politics or political questions in any shape or


    form will mark the beginning of its decadence. I am old-fashioned enough to think we are already too much


    out in the open; I believe we would thrive better if we were less in evidence. I have always held the opinion


    that Freemasonry should (speaking symbolically) play the part of mainspring of the watch—unseen itself,


    but ever urging the whole mechanism of society into harmonious and musical action.


    In our Lodges we teach men the duties they owe to God, to their country, to their neighbour, and to


    themselves; we exhort them to be upright and honourable, true and faithful; and we expect them to prove by


    their conduct in every relation of life that they are Freemasons in more than name ; but I should be sorry


    indeed to see Freemasonry organised in the sense of being harnessed to take part in the activities of the


    world, aye, or even as a peace evangel.




    With political policies, with social schemes, and with all the devious devices for the promotion of human


    welfare Freemasonry is not concerned. Our .business is to make men, and to equip them to go forth


    individually and do a man's work in the world, not for self only, but for other men.


    And now, brethren, what shall I say of the part which the Freemasons of New Zealand are taking in this great


    struggle between the powers of good and evil, between the principles of truth and honour and those of


    falsehood and dishonour ? May we not claim that our brethren have seen their duty to their King and


    country, and nobly and faithfully have done that duty?


    Alas-! Our roll of honour of those who have given their lives to the cause of right is an extensive and


    growing one. All honour to those who have fallen! We sympathise deeply with those bereaved, and we claim


    also to share in the pride experienced by those whose dear ones have left behind them the record of deeds


    which make the heart thrill with a fuller manhood and create a stronger desire to give personal service. May


    those who are passing through the dark valley of mourning find their way to the highest hill-tops as they


    realise what their loved and lost ones have done for humanity.


    Our brethren at the front tell us in their letters how greatly they have been cheered, sustained, and fortified by


    the teachings of the Craft, under the terrible ordeals they are enduring, and we have the record of meetings


    under unique circumstances, amidst the music of big-gun fire, the hum of aeroplanes, and the bursting of


    shells.


    But time will not permit of my dwelling longer, and I conclude with an extract from an address delivered by


    V.W. Bro. the Lord Bishop of Birmingham, G. Chaplain of England, at the bi-centenary gathering in London


    last June. He said, inter alia :—


    " Shall I try to stir you, my brothers, to devotion? Think, then, of the thousands of our very best who have


    gone from us early in life. We had dreams about those young men. They were to be the statesmen, the


    orators, the teachers, the prophets of the future. But they died for us, and their earth's career, in one sense,


    ended. But, surely, they live as a stimulating influence to us, stirring us not only to do our own duty to our


    land, but nerving us even to try and make up to some small extent, by extra effort, for the loss sustained by


    their going hence.


    "Masons ! Brothers ! Our Motherland and Empire cries out for the exercise of the qualities we claim as


    especially belonging to our Order—reliance upon God, earnestness in duty, devotion to the needs of our


    fellow-men. May we not fail in the work, but rather find in it our delight! Masons are often public men; we


    must enter public life as a sacred mission. The town councillor is about the business of T.G.A.O.T.U. as truly


    as the preacher. Go forward, my brethren, determined to apply the Craft to public life. Laying the true


    foundation, using skilfully the pencil of our imagination to show the fitting superstructure, measuring our


    possibilities by the compasses of experience, acting ever on the square of rectitude, may we so live that not


    only we ourselves, but those amongst whom we labour, may be able to have such a true career that, when


    summoned from this sublunary abode we may all ascend to the G.L. above, where the world's Great


    Architect- may receive us as Masons who have helped to rear an edifice of holiness in the world."


    ———————


    ELOCUTION AND THE MASONIC RITUAL.


    ——<>——


    (By BRO. COLONEL J. R. PURDY.)


    Elocution, which literally means speaking out, may be defined as the art of correct delivery in speaking and


    reading. Elocution is an important branch of rhetoric, and rhetoric is one of the seven great arts. Allusion is


    made to this in our ritual. From the earliest ages much weight attached to a correct delivery, and serious


    consequences often ensued even for the mispronunciation of a single word. History teaches us that in the


    Ancient Mysteries an error made in delivery was punishable by death. This may seem an extreme measure,


    but there is one well-known instance where many people suffered death through the mispronunciation of a


    single word. It is well known to you all : In the time of Jephthah, Judge of Israel, 1,139 years B.C., 42,000


    Ephraimites died upon the brink of the Jordan because they could not pronounce with Gileaditish accuracy


    the simple word "Shibboleth." Great attention in ancient times was paid to the study of elocution. In the


    ancient mysteries and all the forerunners of Freemasonry as we now have it the teaching of the ritual was


    esoteric and entirely oral. It was a crime demanding the severest punishment to write down any part of the


    ritual. Printed rituals are modern innovations, and are still held by many prominent Masons to be against the


    usage and teaching of pure Freemasonry. I know one of the oldest of the English Lodges strongly objects to a


    printed or written ritual, and although a ritual is sold stating it is their working, the Lodge itself publicly




    disclaims it, and claims that their teaching is purely oral, and is now given as it was when the Lodge was first


    formed.


    Not only was there oral teaching as regards the ritual, but great attention was paid to pronunciation, and the


    words were passed down with a definite form of pronunciation. We still have a relic of that in some Lodges


    in the pronunciation of the word "hele," to which allusion will be made later.


    In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries elocution was regularly taught at Oxford and Cambridge, and was


    considered an important subject, and there is no doubt that in the early days of Freemasonry as we now have


    it (G.L. was formed in 1717) elocution was practised as an art in the rendering of the ritual. The decay of


    elocution as a formal study set in during the eighteenth century, the initiation and general adoption of


    printing having in many ways usurped the functions of speech, so that by the middle of the nineteenth


    century elocution was almost a dead letter and only practised by the few instead of the many. It is only in


    very late years that the importance of elocution as a branch of training has again been recognised, and now


    there is a general desire arising for a better knowledge of it.


    Masonic Lodges as a necessity suffered during the latent period, and the ritual became shorn of much of its


    dignity and many of its beauties. Now, with the revival of the ancient art, many Lodges are beginning to pay


    more attention to the proper rendering of our ritual, and no doubt, as years go on, we will see a great


    improvement in all Lodges. Out of the evil of the lapse of elocution as a universal art good has, however,


    come, as the new school of elocution is in many ways different from the old. This school, with its grave,


    dignified, slow, and it must be admitted, stilted utterance, has now almost completely disappeared, and in its


    place we have the ordinary language of daily life used with an ease and grace which, though the result of


    study, does not betray its art. Now this natural style, although to all appearance-very very simple and easy of


    attainment, is, on the contrary, extremely difficult, and it is because of its very simplicity. Anything in the


    nature of a set and studied recitation of the ritual in the old manner is, or should be, anathema.


    The principal faults in the delivery of the ritual are due to two main causes : First, want of knowledge of the


    fundamentals of elocution; secondly, insufficient practice or rehearsal. The second is perhaps the worst fault


    of the two. What are the fundamentals? Firstly, that one should speak in one's natural tone, pitching the voice


    in the ordinary colloquial key. Pay due attention to pausing; it is by pausing that delivery is made most


    effective, not by studying so-called rising and falling inflexions or any of the old rules set down in all books


    on elocution. Emphasis is supposed to be a fundamental; so it is, but not as taught in many books and


    practised by many. When delivering the ritual some imagine that by giving the so-called emphatic words


    proper emphasis they have attained perfection or are on their way to that attainment, but this is not so. Most


    who practise this method indulge in over-emphasis, and the result ends in disaster. Here are examples of


    emphasis


    (I Genesis, 2nd and 3rd verses.)


    And the earth was without form and void ; and darkness WAS upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of


    God moved upon the face of the waters, and God said : Let there be Light, and there was Light.


    IN the beginning WAS the word, and the word WAS WITH God, and the word WAS God. The same WAS IN the


    beginning WITH God.


    In the BEGINNING was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD. The same was in


    the BEGINNING with GOD.


    And he said unto his sons : Saddle me the ASS ; so they saddled HIM the ass.


    The little words in the ritual are as important as the big ones. In fact, take care of the little ones, and the big


    ones will take care of themselves. Therefore cultivate the pause in your study of the ritual. Try and adopt a


    conversational method. You never, or, at any rate, very seldom, hear wrong emphasis given in ordinary


    conversation, and if you take the trouble to note and compare, you will find that two persons speaking to


    each other always break up their words with numerous pauses. As an illustration of what I am trying to


    impress upon you, let us take a simple example :—


    As the Sun rises in the East to open and enliven the day so the W.M. is ———— E. ———, and employ


    and instruct the brethren in Freemasonry.


    You note practically no pause, but a straight delivery—a sort, of get-it-over-and-be-done-with speech,


    effective enough in its way; but let us try it in the modern style of elocution, using exactly the same tones of


    the voice, and see if there is any difference :—




    As the Sun rises in the East to open and enliven the day, so the W.M. is ————————————— and


    employ and instruct the brethren in Freemasonry.


    Please bear in mind that I only use this speech as an example, because it is short and to my purpose. It is


    impossible to give proper emphasis without pausing ; indeed, some authorities say all emphasis should be by


    pauses. There are two kinds—grammatical and rhetorical—the first distinguished by marks and made for us,


    the second addressed to the ear and made by us. It is better to make our own. The grammatical ones were


    brought into use when printing came into vogue. Pauses are absolutely essential, but they must be .in the


    right place. Over and above the essential pauses there is another pause, which may be termed the effective


    pause. This is the one used by orators and actors to get their effects, as per example :-


    Sir Richard spoke and he laughed, and we roared a hurrah, and so


    The little Revenge ran on sheer into the heart of the foe;


    For half her fleet to the right and half to the left were seen,


    And the little Revenge ran on ... through the long sea lane between.


    The essential pause is, however, the one to take most heed of. It is by the use of the essential pause that all


    good speakers get their best effects. Now this essential pause is of varying degree. There is the pause which


    should be used after an emphatic word in order to give it prominence, the ordinary pause before and after a


    parenthesis, the pauses used after the completion of a sentence, and so on; but the essential pause I


    particularly wish to direct your attention to is one that must always be used. It is allied to the cæsura, that


    must always be used in verse ; in fact, it is only a cæsura or cut of the voice. This pause should be


    imperceptible to the auditor ; it is not an exact rest, but rather a suspension of the voice. If one uses this


    pause as a positive rest or stop, the recitation becomes jerky. If the cut is not used, the recitation is apt to be


    monotonous. It is not possible for Masons generally to become trained elocutionists ;they would take up the


    study too late in life; but by use of the cæsura all Masons can very much improve the delivery of their


    speeches and charges.


    I find I have already nearly taken up all my allotted time, and must draw my remarks to a close.


    Consequently I must jettison my remarks on the other fundamentals, such as pace, management of the voice,


    monotone, staccato, gesture, etc., and also what I had to say about rehearsing ; but if the subject has proved


    interesting to you it will give me great pleasure to continue this paper on some future occasion. As example


    is much better than precept, I will conclude by reciting to you two examples taken from the ritual.


    The word " hele " is used in our ritual always in conjunction with the words " conceal " and " reveal."


    Opinions differ as to the proper pronunciation, some saying "hale," others "heal." In the ritual supposed to be


    printed on the authority of the famous Emulation Lodge, and published in 1916, the word "hele" is


    asterisked, and a footnote says " pronounced 'hale,' " thus apparently settling the point definitely. The


    publishers of this ritual, however, have evidently put down this as a definite pronunciation because the word


    is so pronounced by many prominent Masons, not because they have any authority so to do. Indeed, as I


    hope I will be able to show, "hale " is not the correct pronounciation, but "heel " is. In the study of our


    language three periods are clearly marked :—


    O.E., from A.D. 450 to 1200.


    M.E., from 1200 to 1500.


    Modern E., from 1500 upwards.


    Printing was introduced in 1477. In this short paper I have not time to go into detail, but can only place the


    bare facts before you. I regret this, as much of the detail is of the deepest interest. One of the differences


    between the modern English period and the previous ones was that the final "e," which was syllabic, either


    disappeared, or was retained to give length of the preceding vowel. The modern period was also marked by a


    large number of new borrowings from a great variety of sources . The modern period is divided into three


    parts : (1) the years from 1500 to 1625, called Tudor English ; (2) the English of the remainder of the 17th


    century, in which Latinisms and other idioms abounded (Milton is full of them ; there were also large


    borrowings from modern French; this is sometimes called the age of Dryden, who died in 1709) ; and (3) the


    remaining period up to the present day, dating from 1700. The main difference between the third and the first


    and second periods- is that the first two were those of experiment and comparative license in importing new


    words and in the formation of idioms. The third period is marked by selection and organisation and a great


    change in the vowel sounds. This change was disguised by the absence of a corresponding change in the


    spelling.


    In the pronunciation of late French borrowed words from about A.D. 1600 "e" was sounded as long "a." An


    affected preference for everything French came into fashion with Charles II. Dryden (1631-1700), from a




    desire to please the court, fell in with the prevailing fashion, and this fashion was in vogue right through the


    18th century. The diagraph "ea" first came into use in the Tudor period. It was then sounded as long "a," like


    "ea" in "great," but the long "a" sound during the 18th century, with few exceptions, gradually shifted to that


    of long "e," as in "dream," "beat," etc. (Macaroms, etc.). "Tea, " for example, was always pronounced "tay,"


    at any rate well until well into the 18th century. Now there are only six words in which the digraph "ea" has


    retained the Tudor sound.


    "Hele" is a word of Anglo-Saxon origin, also M.G.H. from "Helen," and meant to hide, conceal, keep secret.


    It was, in accordance with the usual custom, pronounced "hale." During the 18th century changes this word


    became obsolete, probably because the change in pronunciation and spelling would confuse it with other


    words, and also because of the tendency to foster words of French origin and do away with Anglo-Saxon


    words. Anyhow, whatever the reason, the word became obsolete and no longer used in literature. "Conceal "


    and " reveal" are both French in origin :—


    Conceal (O.F. conceler, L. concelare) : To hide, secrete, etc.


    Reveal (O.F. reveler, L. revelare.): To unveil, discover, divulge, etc.


    The three words " hele," " conceal," and " reveal" were therefore, at the time "hele " was a live word,


    pronounced— "I will always hale, concale, and never revale any," etc."— thus satisfying the craving of our


    forebears for idiomatic speech, rhyming couplets, alliteration, tautological euphony, etc. The literature of the


    17th and 18th centuries is full of examples, especially the period when the G.L. of England was formed. Had


    "hele" remained a live word, its modern pronunciation, according to rule, would have been "heal," thus


    continuing the tautological euphonious triplet—" I will always heal, conceal, and never reveal." It is quite


    wrong to retain an obsolete word with its old pronunciation unless the old pronunciation of "conceal" and


    "reveal" is also retained. If the pronunciation must still be given "hale " by Masons, then the words "conceal"


    and "reveal " should be deleted.


    ———————


    THE E.A. DEGREE.


    ——<>——


    [Lecture given by BRO. L. G. LOWRY, of Waiwhetu Lodge, Lower Hutt, at a meeting of the N.Z. Command


    Depot Branch, N.Z.E.F., Masonic Association, held at Codford, England, on 2nd August, 1917.]


    The subject of the paper for this evening is that of the E.A. Degree. To my mind, the First Degree, although


    not so spectacular as others that await the progressive Mason, is, without doubt, the most important of them


    all in so far as it presents to the candidate his first insight into Freemasonry—and first impressions are more


    often than not lasting impressions. Therefore it behoves all Masons to pay strict attention to Lodge decorum


    and thereby assist the candidate to realise the seriousness of his initiation.


    The ceremony opens, as you are well aware, with an appeal to the Great Architect for His blessing on our


    labours, which, according to the Divine precepts contained in the V.S.L., He will never deny us. The entry of


    the candidate in a state of ——— strikingly demonstrates that true faith is derived from the heart, and not


    the sight. By this act the initiate is taught that the heart must conceal and be prepared to place implicit faith


    in our mysteries before the eyes can reveal.


    It is fairly safe to presume that not one in a hundred regularly initiated E.As. is in a position to explain


    adequately, immediately after having taken the E.A. Degree, the many strange symbols that are brought


    before his notice during initiation. Therefore it is necessary to continue the study of our splendid ritual and


    try each time to learn more of the deeper meaning of our Ancient Charges, etc. I can assure you that the


    greater the desire for knowledge concerning our history, the greater the reward. Probably the two outstanding


    features in the E.A. degree could be summarised as the Charge from the N.E. and the Final Charge or


    Address of Initation. By the former the candidate is brought face to face with the greatest of all virtues—


    Charity—in such a manner that his peculiar predicament should create a lasting impression on his memory.


    The Charge is of so much importance that too much care cannot be taken in rendering it with that richness of


    tone which it so amply merits. No doubt, many of you have witnessed a candidate moved to a marked degree


    during this splendid oration, which is genuine proof of a faithful rendition, for no man, paying strict attention


    to the same, can pass it from his mind with but fleeting comment. Herein the newly initiated brother is made


    conversant with a concentrated version of our main objectives throughout life, and which should always


    prove predominating factors—namely, Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. I feel sure that if the Charge from


    the N.E. is faithfully implanted in every new initiate's breast, the foundation stone of a great and righteous


    man is truly laid, and a noble edifice will arise from it. He is told in unmistakable terms that, in spite of the




    wealth and magnitude of our Order, there are some who, unfortunately, meet with unavoidable calamity; and,


    well knowing that destiny does not reveal itself in advance unto him, he is reminded to practise the double


    virtue of charity, knowing that, should he be unfortunate in after years, a true brother will cheerfully embrace


    the opportunity of assisting him. Surely this is a noble desire, the practice of which brings with it its own


    reward.


    The Charge after Initiation can only rank as one of the finest extant. It is certainly a fairly long one, but it is


    easy to memorise when taken in sections. Personally I strongly recommend this ; otherwise the candidate


    fails to appreciate fully the glory of the moral code as laid down therein. It is not too much to say that this


    Charge contains all that is necessary for a man to live by. It demonstrates that our Order has stood the test of


    time, and kings have desired to share in our mysteries. It proves the necessity for contemplation of the


    V.S.L., wherein we are told our duties to our Creator, our neighbour, as well as our individual selves—to


    God by imploring His guidance, which is done every time our Lodges are opened, and which should be done


    in all our undertakings during daily life. Our duty to our neighbour is often most complex, due to the fact that


    we lose sight of the maxim, "Do unto others as ye would they should do unto you" ; or may I be permitted to


    suggest a few words from our Sacred Law that appeal to me more than anything I have yet read : " Inasmuch


    as ye did it unto the least of these My brethren, ye did it also unto Me." Could we but keep those two


    passages before us from day to day, decisions regarding our duty towards our neighbour would lose much of


    their difficulty and become easy of accomplishment.


    Man's duty to himself is not easy ; to my mind, it is the greatest of all studies. We are more apt to fail where


    perseverance would have led us to victory, and it is only by careful study that a well regulated life can be


    hoped for, to accomplish which we must perform the rather anomalous feat of getting away from oneself and


    viewing our individual character from afar, rectifying our faults not always with merciful consideration for


    our skins, but, if necessary, with stern rebuke.


    And now we come to our duty as citizens, more especially never to lose sight of the allegiance we owe to the


    Sovereign of our Empire. Surely we can pride ourselves on having faithfully proved the same, for truly


    hundreds of our brethren have given their lives in this cause, and, if necessary, are we not ready to do


    likewise ? This portion of our Charge gives to me the answer to my oft-repeated question : why, in spite of


    advanced knowledge, do we continue to wage war ? The answer is found in these words : Nature has


    implanted in the breast a faithful and indissoluble attachment towards the country of your infant nurture,


    which country every true citizen will support, if need be, with the sword, until time or circumstance shall


    decide other methods.


    As individuals we are recommended to exercise prudence, temperance, and justice, trusting in fortitude for


    support. Prudence, or practical wisdom, to which is naturally coupled caution, is a sterling virtue to possess;


    nevertheless, the same must be exercised with due regard to circumstances, otherwise conditions may arise


    whereby an over-cautious or prudent individual may be hovering near the brink of cowardice. Temperance is


    not confined to-night to any specific organisation, but is a barometer which should regulate all Masons'


    actions. And now we come to justice—the act of being impartial. Let us strive daily to be more just, giving to


    each his due. The world cries aloud for it, and when the time comes for hostilities to cease, be prepared to be


    just in all undertakings, be they pleasant or otherwise, for a just man should give no cause for his


    companions to fear meeting him face to face, or give them occasion to blush for him.


    Our secrecy is necessary to debar intruders or cowans from participating in our mysteries, and the desire for


    fidelity is of paramount importance ; otherwise our ancient landmarks would disappear and the Craft thereby


    be robbed of much of its ancient beauty. Obedience is a word well known to us all, as without it no army or


    well organised society can ever hope to preserve decorum. Therefore, admitting that there may be occasions


    when one cannot see eye to eye with those in authority over him, we must learn the first lesson—that of


    obedience; otherwise chaos will ensue.


    Brethren, it is almost impossible for me to enumerate the many sterling lessons that are to be derived from


    this degree. Unfortunately, my time is limited; so I will conclude with a few words on the W.Ts. They


    comprise, as you are well aware, the 24-inch gauge, the common gavel, and chisel.


    The gauge lays out the day's work almost like routine orders, and is divided into three parts—part in


    imploring aid from our Master, part in labour and refreshment (by the latter we include sleep), and part in


    assisting a friend. Carry them out, and the world will be poorer for your loss ; yet a crown of riches will


    await you when time with you shall cease to be.


    The moral of the gavel should always be with us, as conditions under which we are now living are such as


    we have never before experienced, and much that was ferocious, though latent, before war is now perilously




    near the surface, and the force of conscience which our gavel represents must be ever ready to keep such


    thuoghts and actions down, thereby enabling us to maintain our good name unpolluted.


    The chisel represents the value of education, by which means we have been able to hold sway over other


    countries not so fortunate in this science.


    Having used the First Degree for this small paper, I see no reason whatever why all that has been said cannot


    be practised outside of our association, thereby demonstrating to the world at large that a true Mason is one


    to be respected by all and feared by none, a person to whom the troubled brother can pour out his heart and


    receive practical sympathy in just measure. Let us continue to work while it is yet day, by fearing God,


    honouring the King, and loving mankind ; then, when our- allotted span is run, the reward will be - ours.


    Remember that it was the hope of reward that sweetened the labour of our ancient brethren; and so it was


    with that wonderful brother of ours, the late Captain Scott, who, being robbed of his reward by a more


    dexterous explorer, died on his way back, outwardly frozen to death, but inwardly, to my mind, of a broken


    heart.


    His life was a pattern for us all. Reading his life's history one can find Masonic principles permeating it from


    beginning to end. The secrets, in the form of Antarctic specimens, he wrested from the South he kept with


    him to his death; likewise our secrets, which were his, and are still yours.


    It is my earnest wish that this association will prove of great benefit to you all in such a manner as to diffuse


    a very keen sense of justice among those with whom you come in contact in this precarious mode of living.


    Let us exert to the full those faculties wherewith the Master has blessed us, and strive daily to make of our


    names a lasting monument. Never let it be said that a brother did hesitate to speak of his distress ; rather that


    he can approach with unhesitating step, well knowing that in us will be found brethren actuated by the


    motives as inculcated in our Charge.


    This, brethren, is a humble attempt to do "my bit " for the purpose of helping the association and maintaining


    the interest in the Craft, which should be the aim of every true Mason, and as such I ask you to accept it, at


    the same time thanking you for any corrections that you care to put forward.


    ———————


    THE E.A. DEGREE.


    ——<>——


    PART I,


    ————


    (By BRO. BRIGADIER A. B. CARMICHAEL, Auckland.)


    ————


    The spirit of social intercourse is becoming more and more recognised factor in all communities, and it


    concerns all classes more or less; mankind may be considered as social in all their desires. Where you find


    the hermit living in tens you will find the social people living in thousands. Our villages, towns, and cities


    are all an evidence of the social instinct. The love of family, of relatives, of friends, and of Empire may also


    be traced to this source.


    The true patriot is a person in whom the social side has been well developed, while the pessimistic disloyalist


    can be classed as a person self-centred and one to be avoided. Generally speaking, the social spirit and the


    selfish spirit may be considered as diametrically opposed to each other.


    The spirit of Freemasonry is all on the side of things social; its very foundations are deeply based in its


    universal brotherhood. Harmony is one of its basic principles, while charity, which is the "bond of


    perfection," is well known as being one of its chief bulwarks.


    My subject is a comprehensive one—Masonic social obligations. Perhaps there is no topic more used in our


    present time than socialism and solidarity ; yet, strange to say, the class or classes which use these


    expressions most not only fail to understand their meaning, but appear to think that, instead of construction,


    they mean destruction. True socialism means the brotherhood of man, and also recognises the fatherhood of


    God—T.G.A.O.T.U. In fact, one can never understand the brotherhood principle until they acknowledge the


    Fatherhood of the All-Wise Creator and Father of the great human family. ''Solidarity is only a myth unless


    the mystic bond of love is the underlying motive which binds the hearts of men together.


    In our ancient Craft, brethren, true socialism has ever been conspicuous by its beautifying fruits, in the unity


    and concord which is at once the joy and pride of our Masonic institution the world over.




    Coming to the kernel of my subject—social obligations—I am impressed with its magnitude and far-


    reaching importance:, Every Mason takes upon himself certain obligations. This means that it is not a


    question of choice, but a solemn duty before his fellows and his God. Masonic social obligations must


    therefore be considered as sacredly binding on us all, and in their fulfilment we prove ourselves as faithful


    exponents of the great truths we teach and practise. On the other hand, failure to fulfil these obligations


    means confusion and eventually degradation and departure from the first principles of Freemasonry. Briefly,


    shall endeavour to give a few details concerning our social obligations in general.


    (a.) THE POOR AND NEEDY.—Around us there are those who need assistance; poverty is not unknown in fair


    New Zealand. Someone has truly said that "one half of the world does not know how the other half lives." I


    am afraid it may also be said, " and most of them do not desire to know,"


    The true Masonic spirit will prompt us to enquire regarding each other's welfare, and if help is needed, ways


    and means should be at once devised to alleviate distress. It may not always be lack of money ; sickness and


    consequent depression and loneliness may be very acute. Here again the social intercourse will cheer the


    discouraged brother, and incidentally those of his family. Speaking generally, I am impressed with the little


    we know of each other; it is one thing to know a person officially and publicly, but quite another to know


    such a one privately and personally. If I may make the suggestion here, it is that we shall endeavour to come


    closer to each other. This will beget that fellowship and brotherly kindness which is so much to be desired in


    our midst to-day.


    (b.) WIDOWS AND ORPHANS.—Alas, the number of widows and orphans is increasing, and by present


    indications will possibly be even worse in the near future. Could not something more be done in the way of


    Masons' wives visiting those who are bereft of husbands and fathers? To give money and provide for


    temporal needs is, of course, very good and right, but there is something which is even more valued than


    money under certain circumstances, and that is sympathy—the milk of human kindness—the tender human


    touch that helps to heal the bleeding heart and soothe the troubled spirit of those who in their anguish do not


    know where to turn in their misery and despair. A beautiful little verse comes to my mind as I write ; take it


    for what it is worth and all it means :—


    "Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,


    Feelings lie buried that love can restore;


    Touched by a loving hand, wakened by kindness,


    Chords that were broken will vibrate once more."


    (c.) AGED MASONS. As a rule, the life of the aged becomes more lonely as the years pass by. Friends die,


    their immediate circle becomes less, the future has little or no attraction for them; they live in the past. The


    great danger here is in getting out of touch with our social obligations, which are imperative. These men of


    the "old brigade" must not be forgotten. Let the younger brethren visit and cheer them, give the latest


    information concerning present-day Lodge doings, etc., etc., so that in the evening of life these veteran


    brethren of ours may feel that they have not lived in vain, and the glorious heritage which they have given us


    is being held as a sacred trust, which we in our turn shall by-and-bye hand down to our sons, that the grand


    traditions of the past may not be forgotten and lost, but rather shall gain new lustre in the better days that are


    to come.—SO MOTE IT BE.


    ———————


    COMMEMMORATION OF JUBILEE.


    ——<>——


    ST. ANDREW KIL. LODGE, No. 79, WANGANUI.


    ————


    A jubilee is an occasion for rejoicing, reviewing, and resolving. In this spirit St. Andrew Kil., No. 79,


    Wanganui, celebrated its fifty years of existence on Thursday, 8th November. The Lodge had good cause to


    rejoice, for from a small beginning, and through various fluctuations of fortune, to-day finds St. Andrew Kil.


    one of the strongest Lodges in the Dominion—strong not only numerically and financially, but strong in that


    spirit which is greater than all material things—the spirit of brotherly love.


    The occasion was—taken to review the past years, to recall old times, and to recount the deeds of the


    brethren of bygone days. The history of the Lodge records that on 27th December; 1866, the Scottish


    Freemasons of the town assembled at the old Rutland Hotel, when W. Bro. Matthew Vere Hodge was


    installed as the R.W.M. of Lodge St. Andrew Kil. A provisional Charter was granted by the Scottish




    Prov.G.L. at Dunedin, and on 3rd February, 1868, a Charter was issued to the Lodge by the G.L. of Scotland.


    It was not until 1884 that the present Masonic Hall was erected and became the temple of the Craft.


    As if to re-echo the joy of that event it was thought fitting to allow R.W. Bro. Keesing and his officers of


    1884 to once again occupy the chairs of the Lodge, and thus, after thirty-three years, these brethren, spared


    by T.G.A.O.T.U., performed the old-time ceremonies. Probably such an experience is unique in the history


    of Freemasonry. But to Wanganui brethren it was more than a curious fact. To them it recalled one of the


    great epoch-marking dates in their history. From its foundation the Lodge, in the main guided by R.W. Bro.


    M. V. Hodge, passed through the usual vicissitudes, and it was not until R.W. Bro. Keesing and the officers


    contemporary with him took control that St. Andrew Kil. entered into that period of Masonic advancement


    that is to-day its chief characteristic. To this day the good Masonic influence of R.W. Bro. J. H. Keesing is


    felt in the Craft in Wanganui. Right glad, therefore, were the brethren to see him once more in the W.M.'s


    chair and, with his set of veteran officers, conducting the ritual.


    The occasion was also honoured by the presence of several G.L. officers, including the M.W.G.M. and


    M.W.G.S. There were at least 250 brethren present, including visitors from all parts of New Zealand.


    W. Bro. N. G. Armstrong gave an interesting account of the history of the Lodge, and in the course of his


    remarks touched upon names and events connected therewith which awoke fond and happy memories in the


    minds of many of the older members present. In concluding, he took the opportunity of asking the acting-


    W.M. to accept from the brethren of his Lodge a small token of their regard and esteem for R.W. Bro.


    Keesing and his respected wife. That to R.W. Bro. Keesing was a gold watch and Albert, suitably inscribed,


    whilst a silver rose bowl and vases to match will serve to remind his good wife of the kindly feelings of St.


    Andrew Kil. towards her. R.W. Bro. Keesing, who was completely taken by surprise by this unexpected


    finish by W. Bro. Armstrong to his address, acknowledged his appreciation and thanks to the brethren for


    their kindly expressions of goodwill.


    Jewels for long and faithful service were then presented to M.W. Bro. Malcolm Niccol, V.W. Bro. J. W.


    Luxford, R.W. Bro. J. H. Keesing, R.W. Bro. John Stevenson, W. Bro. J. L. Stevenson, Bro. G. F. Allen, and


    Bro. Robert Law, by R.W. Bro. D. McFarlane, Prov.G.M., and it certainly was an inspiring sight (to the


    younger brethren especially) to see these recipients, all grown old in their service for Freemasonry, standing


    together and receiving a slight reward and recognition of such service.


    After the roll of W.Ms. for fifty years had been unveiled by Bro. G. F. Allen, who, by the way, was a Charter


    member and our first Sec., the address by M.W. Bro. Malcolm Niccol upon " Freemasonry and the Great


    War " (published in this issue) was given. The M.W.G.Sec.'s address was attentively followed and enjoyed


    by all.


    The M.W.G.M. then called upon M.W. Bro. Niccol to unveil the roll which had been placed upon the wall of


    the Lodgeroom in memory of our brethren who had answered the call and had gone forth to fight for King


    and country, one of whom had made the supreme sacrifice. The brethren stood to order during this solemn


    ceremony.


    M.W. Bro. Nicholson then gave an .inspiring address upon the "Aim and Purpose of Freemasonry in New


    Zealand," and, on behalf of all present, R.W. Bro. Keesing thanked .the G.M. for the noble sentiment and


    lofty aims expounded by the G.M. during his discourse.


    After H.G.W. and congratulations from the numerous visitors, the Lodge was closed in L., P. and H. at 10


    p.m.


    The jubilee supper was held in the Druids' Hall adjoining, where the festivities were continued until shortly


    after midnight. The hall had been quite transformed by Bro. T. Sperring and his band of willing helpers, and


    was made to represent a temple with entrance porch, collonade, and pergola, decorated with greenery and


    bright flowers. On the surrounding frieze were suitable Masonic emblems, also the names of old P.Ms. who


    controlled the Lodge under the S.C. Thus once again the past blended with the present.


    It has been said that a jubilee is an occasion for making resolutions for future guidance. This note was


    repeatedly sounded during the proceedings ; the brethren were exhorted to practise Masonic principles not


    only in Lodge, but also in public, so that a Freemason might be known to all the world as an upright, tolerant,


    and useful man to the community and to the State.


    R.W. Bro. D. McFarlane, in proposing the toast of the old members, after touching upon the lessons to be


    learned from the long and faithful service of these brethren, took the occasion to suggest that now was a


    fitting time to put into practice some of the precepts inculcated in the address of the M.W.G.M. Our soldiers




    were nobly fighting for us at the front, and so far New Zealand Freemasonry was not identified with any of


    the various activities to provide comforts for our boys. He suggested that :—


    1. A circular appeal should be sent to every Freemason in New Zealand through the Sec. of each Lodge.


    2. A letter of permission and approval from the M.W.G,M., Bro. Nicholson,. be embodied in the circular.


    3. All contributions to be forwarded to the Sec. of each Lodge, and to be paid into a fund to be called
    "The Masonic Cheer-0 Fund."


    4. When sufficient funds are in hand, same to be forwarded to G.L.


    5. All moneys received to be sent straight away through the channels of the Y.M.C.A. to support :-


    (a) A Masonic hutment near the trenches (open to all soldiers);


    (b) If sufficient funds are provided, further hutments, and, through the Salvation Army, comforts
    for the boys of the Navy.


    The suggestion was enthusiastically received, and the G.M. at once readily gave his consent to the proposal.


    R.W. Bro. McFarlane intimated that the brethren in Ruapehu district were prepared to bear the expense of


    the necessary printing and circularising of the brethren.


    The matter will come before the B. of G.P. this week, and before many days are passed, we trust, will be


    successfully initiated.


    The usual Masonic and other toasts were honoured, and musical items interspersed during the evening. As a


    happy wind-up to this interesting occasion, the old-time custom of the loving cup was duly carried out.


    ———————


    GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND.


    ——<>——


    PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, &c., TO G.L. LAWS.


    1. AMENDMENTS TO RULES 10, 11, AND 17.—


    To alter the rank and designation of G.Ds. of C. and P.G.Ds. of C., so that these shall be designated "


    Very Worshipful " and rank in order of precedence immediately after P.G. Lecturers and before G.Ds.


    2. AMENDMENT TO RULE 55.—


    To increase the fee payable by G.Ds, of C. from £2 2s. to £3 3s.


    3. ADDITION TO RULE 102.—


    Should a Warden be serving in a military capacity and thereby be unable to complete a full term of


    service in his Lodge to qualify him for election as Master, the G.M. may by special dispensation provide


    for his case under this rule.


    4. AMENDMENT TO RULE 146.—


    Should emergent circumstances arise after a candidate has been proposed in any Lodge under Rule 145,


    the Master may apply to the G.M. or to the Prov.G.M. for a dispensation authorising the Lodge to proceed


    under Rule 146, and if the G.M. or Prov.G.M. is satisfied that the emergency justifies it, he may grant a


    dispensation.


    5. AMENDMENT TO RULE 158.—


    Joining Member to make Written Application.


    Prior to being proposed as a joining member of any Lodge each applicant for membership and his


    proposer and seconder shall fill in and sign the following form :-


    To the W.M., Officers, and Members of Lodge …….. No …..


    I ………………… of …………….. do hereby


    apply to be admitted a member of your Lodge. I am the


    holder of a demit from Lodge ………….. No. ……


    or I am at present a member of the following Lodges


    ………………., and submit proof of my financial


    standing in such Lodges.


    If admitted a member of your Lodge I will obey the


    commands of the W.M. and observe the By-laws of the Lodge.




    We, the undersigned, having known Bro. ……………


    for the past ………. do recommend and propose


    him for membership of Lodge ……………..


    ……………….Proposer


    ……………….Proposer


    Date ………….


    During the continuance of the war it shall be permissible for Lodges to issue to brethren going to the front


    proofs of their membership ; but all such proofs must be verified by the signature of the G.Sec. and be


    impressed by the seal of G.L.


    6. DISPENSATIONS.—


    Should a dispensation be issued by a Prov.G.M. authorising an alteration of the regular day of installation


    in a Lodge to meet the convenience of G.L., the B. of G.P. may waive the payment of the usual fee upon


    the application


    7. DISPENSATIONS.—


    Should a dispensation be issued by a Prov.G.M. uutho- - rising an alteration of the regular day of


    installation in a Lodge to meet the convenience of G.L., the B. of -G.P. may waive the payment of the


    usual fee upon the application of the Prov.G.M. who issued such dispensation.


    ———————


    EXTRACT FROM PROCEEDINGS OF G.L. IN 1911.


    ——


    PHYSICAL FITNESS OF CANDIDATES.


    ——


    The question of what constitutes fitness in candidates for admission to the Craft was raised recently by the


    Prov.G.L. of Canterbury, which addressed a letter to the Board upon the Subject.


    A reply was sent to the effect that G.L. has not hitherto made any pronouncement upon the question, but that


    it was understood that our policy and practice is practically the same as that of the G.L. of England as


    expressed in the following letter :—


    Freemasons' Hall, London, W.C.,


    24th February, 1875.


    DEAR SIR AND. BRO. —


    According to the promise made in my note of the 2nd inst., I submitted your letter of the 1st inst. to the B. of


    G.P. at their meeting on Tuesday in the last week. The Board feel that it is impossible to lay down a hard and


    fast rule as to the initiation of a candidate not perfect in his body, as required in Article 4, Ancient Charges,


    page 6, Constitutions. I am directed to say that the general rule in this country is to consider a candidate


    eligible for election who, although not perfect in his limbs, is sufficiently so to comply with and go through


    the various ceremonies required in the different degrees.


    Each case of this description must be decided on its own merits by the members of the Lodge to whom the


    candidate is personally known, subject to the investigation and approval of the Master of the Lodge, who is,


    of course, officially responsible that the candidate was in a condition to comply with the above-named


    requirements.


    I am, Dear Sir and Bro.,


    Yours truly and fraternally


    JOHN. HERVEY, G.Sec.


    In view of the importance of the question, we recommend G.L. to approve of the action of the Board.


    This report of the Board was adopted.













    ———————————————————————————————————————————


    Correspondence.
    ———————————————————————————————————————————


    POWER TO ENFORCE PAYMENT OF A LEVY.


    ——<>——


    TO THE EDITOR.


    DEAR SIR AND BRO.,—I shall be glad of your ruling on the following point which has arisen :—Certain


    improvements were considered necessary in connection with the Lodge grounds, and at a regular meeting of


    the Lodge a resolution was carried making a levy of a fixed amount on all members residing within a certain


    radius of the Lodge to meet the cost of these improvements. Subsequently payment of this levy was


    demanded on a summons for a regular meeting. Certain brethren have expressed their intention of not paying


    this levy, and I shall be glad if you will inform me whether they would be liable to the same disabilities and


    penalties as they would be if they had not paid their ordinary Lodge dues.—Yours fraternally,


    Kaitaia, 5th November, 1917. CURIOUS.


    [We suggest you refer the question to the B. of G.P., who can obtain an official opinion from the G.Reg.—


    ED. C.]


    ————————


    FRATERNAL VISITATION


    ——<>——


    Faithful to a promise made to W. Bro. Pawson and the members of Lodge Methven, eighteen members of


    Lodge Amuri journeyed in four motor cars, via Oxford and Rakaia Gorge, to Methven on 23rd September,


    duly arriving after a pleasant day and no motor stops. W. Bro. H. Pawson and Bro. Smith, the energetic Sec.,


    met the visitors, and Bro. Smith entertained them at dinner. The visitors officered the Lodge as follows :


    W.M., W. Bro. D. W. Hunter ; I.P.M., W. Bro. Goulding ; S.W., W. Bro. Munro ; J.W., Bro. C. E. Derrett ;


    Chaplain, Bro. J. H. Thompson; S.D., Bro. H. R. Davison ; J.D., Bro. W. H. Nicholson ; D. of C., Bro. R. J.


    Lewis ; I.G., Bro. G. Powis ; Tyler, Bro. J. Wilson ; Ss., Bros. Shaw, Crampton, McDougall, and Gallagher.


    The ceremonial consisted of raising an esteemed brother of Methven, the W.M. being assisted by W. Bro.


    Goulding (Emblems), Bro. H. R. Davison (Investiture Charge), W. Bros. Munro and Todd (T.H.). ;Bro. R. J.


    Lewis presented the W.Ts., and W. Bro. Hunter gave the Final Charge. W. Bro. Hunter thanked W. Bro.


    Pawson for the invitation to work the degree.


    The brethren of Lodge Methven entertained the visitors in the refectory, where several instructive speeches


    were given and songs contributed by brethren. Representatives were present from Lodges South Rakaia,


    Erewhon, and Robert Burns. Next morning the- Methven brethren, accompanied by a number of the "gentler


    sex," turned out with their cars and conveyed the Amuriites to Lake Coleridge, where a picnic was held,


    despite the weather, which was fairly thick at times. The visitors were billeted by the Methven brethren, and


    spent a most enjoyable time. This trip will live long in the memory of Amuri as a personal and Masonic treat.


    Amuri members left for home on Friday, via Christchurch, arriving home the fourth day, doing about two


    hundred and sixty miles' non-stop run, as regards the cars.


    ————————


    THE M.W. GRAND MASTER VISITS HERETAUNGA


    LODGE, HASTINGS.


    ——<>——


    An emergent meeting of the Heretaunga Lodge was called for 9th November for the purpose of welcoming


    the G.M., M.W. Bro. Oliver Nicholson, and the G.Sec., M.W. Bro. Malcolm Niccol, P.G.M., and other G.L.


    officers on an official visit to the Lodges of the Hawkes Bay district. All the Lodges in the district were


    represented, at the request of our Prov.G.M., R.W. Bro. Harston, who, doubtless, was satisfied with the


    preparations made and the numbers present to fittingly welcome our august visitors. At 7.45 our M.W. Bro.


    L. T. Cooper and his officers were in their places, and soon after R.W. Harston was announced by W. Bro.


    Leighton, G.D. of C., and took the chair. After stating the object of the meeting our R.W. brother was


    notified by the G.D. of C., and a fanfare followed by a burst of music, that G.L. was seeking admission, and,


    with the 130 brethren upstanding, the honours were given. The G.M. took the chair. The highly expectant




    brethren were then treated to a speech of twenty minutes on matters of great interest to Freemasons—a most


    interesting, instructive, and telling oration of a heart-searching and uplifting nature, most attentively listened


    to by the large assemblage present; and if we could have more frequent visits from cultured and able brethren


    than has obtained hitherto, it would give our institution a fillip that is sometimes much needed. We were


    pleased to see and shake the hand of our dear old friend and brother, the G.Sec., who at a later period gave us


    one of his terse but happy talks of matters that were of interest to all.


    The Lodge was closed at 9.15, and we adjourned to the adjacent hall, and with our many visitors partook of


    light refreshment, both solid and intellectual. The toasts were few in number. That of the G.M. was happily


    proposed by R.W. Bro. Harston, Prov.G.M. Then followed the toast of the visiting brethren, which was fully


    responded to by R.W. Bro. Powley in a happy speech that was inspiring and all too short. M.W. Bro.


    Malcolm Niccol then proposed the toast of the W.M. of Heretaunga Lodge, Bro. L. T. Cooper ; and after that


    W. brother had replied, the Tyler's toast by Bro. Burns brought a very successful and important meeting to a


    close, the brethren departing to their homes with the G.M.'s remarks on the active principles of Freemasonry,


    to live them out at all times, and more especially at this particular period, still fresh in their memory and


    clinging to them.


    Keen disappointment would be felt by two brethren who were absent through illness—R.W. Bro. De Lisle,


    P.Prov.G.M., and W. Bro. I. H. Colebourne.


    The collection for the Special War Fund amounted to £10. The thanks of the Lodge are due to several


    brethren who assisted to make this meeting successful, cheerfully giving up their valuable time, which is


    characteristic of our Lodge; also to the many visiting brethren from north and south.


    I have omitted to refer to a ringing speech made by W. Bro. Stevenson on proposing brethren on active


    service, given with a force and. thrill that will be long remembered by those who heard it.


    The musical arrangements were of a high order, under W. Bro. Tombs, and highly appreciated.—[Lodge


    Correspondent.]


    ————————


    LODGE TE MARAMA, No. 186.


    ——<>——


    THE W.M.'S (BRO. H. J. SAMPSON) REPLY TO HIS


    TOAST AT HIS INSTALLATION ON 8TH OCTOBER.


    BRETHREN,—The position I have been privileged to attain to to-night is one the attainment of which is, I


    think, usually regarded by a Freemason as the culmination of his career in a Craft Lodge. It seems to me to


    be a fitting time to review one's attitude to the Craft, to ask oneself what does Freemasonry mean to one?


    What place does it take in one's life? Is it worth the devotion and enthusiasm lavished upon it? What place


    does it or can it take in the social organisation of the State?


    In common with, I suppose, ninety-nine per cent. of initiates, when I was admitted into the Craft I utterly


    failed to realise or understand the real meaning and purpose of Freemasonry. It was not until I began to learn


    the ritual that I gradually came to realise what it all meant. The study of the ritual, combined perhaps with


    the growing experience of life, brought home to my mind what a ripe wisdom, what .a wide experience of


    human life the formulators of our Masonic creed must have had. I came to realise that our Masonic ritual and


    creed were a crystallisation of the results of the ages of human experience applied to the problem of living,


    of how to live.


    I suppose since the dawn of self-consciousness in humanity man has speculated on the why and wherefore of


    his existence here. During the ages he has formulated hundreds of philosophies, theologies, and creeds, has


    fought and died for them, has lavished upon them all of the highest and most sublime that the human mind


    could conceive or hand fashion; but Freemasonry gathers the whole of them within its scope. Before the


    Masonic altar the Christian, the Mohammedan, the Buddhist or the Brahmin, the follower of Confucius or of


    Zoroaster may forget their disputes, may kneel upon common ground, can accept a common creed. I know of


    no other such.


    Freemasonry makes no claim to lift the veil of the unknown; the light of a Mason serves merely to divulge


    the gloom which rests upon the prospect of futurity ; but Freemasonry does offer to its disciple a philosophy,


    a formula of life, which, if adopted, makes the individual a blessing to his fellows and brings him the only


    permanent happiness possible in this life—that derived from the approbation of his own conscience. When


    the Masonic lecture extols certain lines of conduct, these are not merely sounding phrases; they are the








    garnered wisdom of the untold ages of human suffering and experience ; swerve from them, and as surely as


    the pendulum returns on its swing the delinquent or his fellows will suffer for it. When you have an idle


    hour, brethren, scan the Police Court news or the records of any other institution that reveals the details of


    human misery and wretchedness, and see if you can find a case that would have been there had there not


    been a breach on the part of some of the rules of conduct laid down for a Freemason. You will have a


    difficulty to find a single one. Society at large appears at the present time to be blindly striving to attain to


    that state of harmonious intercourse which to-day exists among the brethren of the best of our Lodges. When


    that state has been attained, I think we will find that most of the problems that are to-day perplexing


    humanity will have been solved. In our capacity as citizens of the world the knowledge which we as


    Freemasons possess of what harmony and toleration can accomplish should enable us to materially assist in


    the progress towards this goal. When the present colossal struggle is ended, the various social problems will


    be attacked with renewed zeal, the process of evolution will be rapid. The world seeks that harmony which


    the Masonic creed already makes possible in our Lodges. In the progress to this ideal Freemasons must take


    a worthy part. Then let us see to it that our Lodges supply them with that inspiration, that continual renewal


    of zeal they will require in the battle with the discouraging elements they must meet.


    To sum up, brethren, to the individual Freemasonry offers a creed which, if followed, will bring him a full


    measure of such happiness and contentment as is possible in this life. In the social economy our Lodges


    provide centres for the culture and the renewal of enthusiasm for those principles of good citizenship, of


    mutual toleration and goodwill upon which the promise of the future progress of humanity wholly depends.


    The present times call for nothing so much as a high ideal of citizenship, and none are better able to supply


    this than the Masonic Craft.


    Brethren, I am very sensible of the confidence you have reposed in me in placing me at the head of your


    Lodge for the coming year, and I can assure you that I will do my utmost to merit that confidence. It is my


    dearest wish, and my strongest efforts shall be directed toward maintaining that harmony which has reigned


    unbroken in the Lodge since its dedication six years ago, and in this matter I know I can rely upon the whole-


    hearted co-operation of you all. The years that have passed have been years of steady progress, and I am


    sanguine that during the new year which has commenced to-night we shall all, working together, be able to


    add another stone or two to the structure of our Lodge.


    W. Bro. Leighton, I desire to express my thanks to you for your kind remarks in proposing the toast of my


    health, and to you all, brethren, for the cordial manner in which you have received it.


    ————————


    INSTALLATION, LODGE SOUTHERN STAR, No. 735, EX., NELSON, ON 30th OCTOBER.


    ——<>——


    W. Bro. E. Dimant, in proposing the toast of " Brethren absent on Active Service," said :—


    It is on an occasion such as this that our thoughts become somewhat retrospective. The mind, wandering


    along the corridors of the past, reproduces scenes and happenings which fill our hearts with gladness, only to


    be absorbed in the sadness of the present when we &ink of those faces absent from this assemblage. Some


    will return to us, we fervently hope; others, alas, we can only meet after Time, the great G.S.W., has sounded


    his closing knocks in the west, and there in the celestial G.L., where the great G.M. eternally rules and


    reigns.


    To many brethren, and especially to those who have been recently admitted into our Order, our attitude may


    appear somewhat incompatible with our professions—that is to say, remembering that, while we preach


    peace in accordance with the pacific principles on which our fraternity is founded, and wo teach and


    inculcate the doctrine of brotherly love, yet we encourage our members to take part in this awful strife,


    which has separated nations and drenched the battlefields of Europe with human blood. It has been computed


    that at least one-seventh of the opposing armies are Freemasons. May we not, with some degree of reason,


    stand aghast at the very thought of a brother's hand grasping the instrument of slaughter containing the


    messenger of death, which, released by a muscular spasm, stills a brother's heart-throbs and sends his soul


    out into the eternal silence of the Great Unseen ? And yet our attitude is not inconsistent with our


    obligations. The greatest of the three Great Lights in Freemasonry, which we accept as the only revelation of


    God to man, presents the attributes of the Supreme Being, which are Truth—Virtue, Justice, and Mercy—


    and wherever and whenever these principles have been assailed the Great Architect has blessed the arms


    defending them, and, as commander of Israel's hosts, has by His inspired agents guided His favoured people




    in battle unto vicory ; and He is doing so to-day, for, in accordance with His immutable law, Truth is mighty


    and must prevail.


    Our allegiance is pledged to the Sovereign Of our land, and as citizens of the Empire our duty is to assist in


    defending the throne of our beloved monarch whenever it is threatened, and this is the object and the purpose


    for which our brethren are absent on active service. They form part of the "screen of steel" which protects


    our homes and defends our women from indescribable horrors, for a good Freemason can be a true patriot.


    Duty and obligation blend beautifully.


    To-night our thoughts are of our absent brethren. May He in whose hands are the issues of this, the greatest


    war in history, spare them to participate in the gladness and rejoicings of an absolute victory over the powers


    of error and infamy, permitting them to return sound, fit, and perfect to the fraternal hearts waiting to receive


    and welcome them.


    I feel assured that I am expressing the fervent hope of every brother present and the desire of every


    Freemason, wherever be may be " scattered over the face of the land or sea," when I utter the wish of my


    own own heart, that the roar of the guns may soon be silenced and the peals of the bells in tower, steeple, and


    belfry be heard ringing out the tidings of victory, heralding a new era of peace and prosperity, uniting all


    nations and their dependencies in the bond of mutual love and goodwill, which, under the blessing of


    T.G.A.O.T.U., the ages shall strengthen and time leave undisturbed. I conclude in the words of Kipling :—


    " God of our fathers, known of old,


    Lord of our far-flung battle line,


    Under whose awful hand we hold


    Dominion over palm and pine,


    Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,


    Lest we forget, lest we forget.


    ————————


    A NEW BOOK BY A WELL-KNOWN LYTTELTON FREEMASON.


    ——<>——


    Some time ago the Rev. E. E. Chambers, of Lyttelton, who as honorary organiser of the Navy League has


    done such excellent work, devoted himself to writing a text-book on "The British Navy from the Tudor


    Period to 1914," which he offered to the local branch of the Navy League as a suitable publication for use in


    the schools of the Dominion and as a means of diffusing some knowledge of the work done by the British


    Navy. The local branch did not see its way to the publication of the book, and Mr. Chambers sent it Home to


    the head office of the Navy League. The secretary, who expressed the opinion that the book would fulfil a


    very useful purpose in providing a simple and, at the same time, pretty complete " reader" for the schools,


    submitted the MS. to Admiral the Hon. Sir E. R. Fremantle, Sir Eardley Wilmot, and Lord Beresford, and


    their verdict being favourable, the book has now been published in England. "The Navy," the official organ


    of the Navy League, for April, in announcing the fact, adds : "Mr. Chambers has been an active worker in the


    cause of naval efficiency for ninny years, and we are confident that his work will strongly commend itself to


    the people of New Zealand and of our other Dominions." We cordially endorse what "The Navy" says as to


    the value of the work done by Mr. Chambers, and congratulate him on his latest and by no means his least


    important effort on behalf of the institution to which he has shown a lifelong devotion.—Christchurch paper.


    [When the book conies to hand the CRAFTSMAN will have pleasure in reviewing it.—En. C.]


    ————————


    THE NEW GRAND SECRETARY OF THE GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND.


    ——<>——


    H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, M.W.G.M., has selected Bro. P. Colville Smith, P.G.D., Dep.Prov.G.M.,


    Cornwall, Prov. G.Sec., Oxfordshire, and for the last fifteen years Secretary of the Royal Masonic


    Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and -Widows of Freemasons, for the position of G.Sec. of the


    G.L. of England. Bro. Colville Smith is a much travelled and experienced member of our Order, and will


    doubtless prove an admirable successor to Sir Edward Letchworth. Bro. Colville Smith's transfer to his new


    duties will doubtless prove a loss to the Benevolent Institution, but we know enough to feel he will not


    wholly forsake his love; will rather keep a watchful eye and a fraternal thought for the many old people by


    whom he has made himself beloved.





    ———————————————————————————————————————————


    Poetry.
    ———————————————————————————————————————————


    THE MYSTIC ART.


    The world may rail at Masonry,


    And scoff at Square and Line,


    We'll follow with complacency


    The Master's great Design.


    A king can make a gartered knight,


    And breathe away another;


    But he, with all his skill and might,


    Can never make a brother.


    This power alone, thou Mystic Art,


    Freemasonry, is thine ;


    The power to tame the savage heart


    With brother love divine.


    —Bulwer Lytton.


    ————————


    O, MAY I JOIN THE CHOIR INVISIBLE.


    ——<>——


    (Longum illud tempus, quum non ero, magis me movet, quam hoc exiguum.


    —Cicero ad. Att. xii. 18.)


    ————


    O, may I join the choir invisible


    Of those immortal dead who live again


    In minds made better by the presence : live


    In pulses stirred to generosity,


    In deeds of daring rectitude, in scorn


    For miserable aims that end with self,


    In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars,


    And with their mild persistence urge man's search


    To vaster issues.


    So to live is heaven :


    To make undying music in the world,


    Breathing as beauteous order that controls,


    With growing sway, the growing life of man.


    So we inherit that sweet purity


    For which we struggled, failed, and agonised


    With widening retrospect that bred despair,


    Rebellious flesh that would not be subdued,


    A vicious parent shaming still its child,


    Poor with penitence, is quick dissolved,


    Its discords, quenched by meeting harmonies,


    Die in the large and charitable air.


    And all our rarer, better, truer self,


    That sobbed religiously in yearning song,


    That watched to ease the burthen of the world,


    Laboriously tracing what must be,


    And what may yet be better—saw within


    A worthier image for the sanctuary,


    And shaped it forth before the multitude


    Divinely human, raising worship so




    To higher reverence more mixed with love—


    That better self shall live till human Time


    Shall fold its eyelids, and the human sky


    Be gathered like a scroll within the tomb,


    Unread for ever.


    This is life to come,


    Which martyred men have made more glorious


    For us who strive to follow. May I reach


    That purest heaven, be to other souls


    The cup of strength in some great agony,


    Enkindle generous ardour, feed pure love,


    Beget the smiles that have no cruelty—


    Be the sweet presence of a good diffused,


    And in diffusion ever more intense.


    So shall I join the choir invisible


    Whose music is the gladness of the world.


    —George Eliot.


    ————————


    MISTLETOE MADCAP.


    ——<>——


    [By GUY THORNE.]


    ———


    The Rev. Henry Underwood, Rector of Morston, plodded his way home on a dark and frosty afternoon, two


    days before Christmas. He was a tall, lean, grey-faced man, clean shaven, and with a thatch of thick white


    hair. The face was strong and determined, but it was very sad. A widower of fifteen years, with only one


    daughter to keep him in touch with life and human sympathies, he was an unhappy man, He had been to visit


    a sick parishioner on the outskirts of the village, and now, as he came into the cluster of red-tiled houses,


    thick flakes of snow began to fall. The black, upright figure walked steadily towards the Rectory, with its


    surrounding sentinels of leafless trees. Now and then a farm labourer touched his cap.


    As he passed the post office, Jellicoe, the old postman, came out with his bag and handed the clergymen the


    letters of the afternoon. " It's no good, sir," he said, "I went up to the Squire last night. He won't let me the


    field for my two cows—just because of Jim being had up for poaching nearly a year back. Perhaps your


    Reverence could say a word for me?"


    The Rector shook his head. " I am very sorry for you, Jellicoe," he said, " very sorry indeed, but I can do


    nothing. Sir Thomas and I are not on speaking terms ; you know that perfectly well. I cannot help you with


    him, for he would not pay any attention to me, even if I wrote him a letter."


    " It's cruel hard on a poor man," the postman said, with a heavy sigh, and tramped away with his letters.


    Indeed, it was common knowledge in the village that the feud between the Rector and the Squire had only


    intensified as the years went by. The two men had disagreed over some trivial matter some six years back.


    The disagreement had grown into enmity ; it had magnified itself until it had assumed—in the eyes of the


    villagers, at any rate—the character of a feud.


    Both the Rev. Mr. Underwood and Sir Thomas Richardson were obstinate men. The Squire was all geniality


    and open-heartedness. The Rector, a saddened and disappointed man, had never really got on with his


    parishioners. He was charitable, but he was cold. It was his nature, and the long and morbid mourning over


    the wife to whom he had been passionately attached had soured and prejudiced his views. He went on, his


    feet ringing on the frost-bitten road, until the chimneys of the Rectory rose to view, and an oblong of orange


    colour shone through the gathering dusk, promising the study fire, and tea. Behind was the tower of the


    church, a black silhouette, etched against the grey of the sky, and to the left were the great iron gates of


    Morston Hall. As he passed them, and turned into his own grounds, the Rector looked sourly at the lodge and


    the stone griffins winch marked the approach to his neighbour's house.


    He went into the Rectory and took off his overcoat, shaking the snowflakes from it. Then he entered his


    study, a pleasant, old-fashioned room, lined with books, and with a portrait of his dead wife hanging over the


    mantelpiece. A big fire of logs burnt upon the hearth. Old Mrs. Redmond, his housekeeper, had put the tea-




    things upon a table by his arm-chair, and a copper kettle sang softly among the embers. He sank into his arm-


    chair, and made his tea. The pleasant brew brought a little colour into his cheeks.


    He was about to pick up a recently-issued theological work, which he had been studying, when his eye fell


    upon a brightly-bound novel lying beside it upon the table. "Mollie's, no doubt !" He took it up with an


    indulgent smile. The title-page bore the single word "Love." "I suppose the child is growing up," he said to


    himself. " I wish she could meet more men. If I could see her happily married to the right person, I think I


    could die in peace."


    At that moment something fell from the book and tapped smartly upon the Rector's knee. He picked it up. It


    was a letter, and as he gazed at it in perplexity the words, "My darling, darling Mollie," started out from the


    page. The whole man stiffened. Once he put the letter down on the arm of his chair ; then once again he took


    it up. "It's from one of her school friends," he said to himself, as he turned it over and looked at the signature.


    It was not. The signature was "Your ever loving and devoted, Basil Richardson."


    Then the Rector read the letter, with great deliberation, from beginning to end. It was a passionate love letter,


    obviously one of many others, addressed to his daughter Mollie by Basil Richardson, the Squire's third and


    youngest son. The letter implied a long and furtive intimacy. It seemed clear that the young couple


    considered themselves as engaged to each other, and it concluded as follows :—" I have told my father that


    you are the only girl in the world for me. He knows you, and you know him. To be frank, he is not


    particularly keen, owing to the fact of the unfortunate estrangement between my father and your father. He


    won't move a hand to help me. All he said when I told him was : She's the prettiest girl in the county, and I


    am sure she is a sweet, nice-natured girl, too. Since you have taken up this blue-chinning business '—he


    meant the stage, my darling !—' you are making £20 a week as an actor in London, and you tell me that you


    have some money put by. When I die you will have £400 a year. All I say is, go in and win, carry her off in a


    post-chaise if you like ! But don't ask me to shake hands with that man Underwood, for I simply won't. I


    would have been friends with him any time this last five years; but he won't own himself in the wrong.' So


    you see, dear, we must take matters into our own hands, and if we cannot soften papa, we must evade him."


    The Rector's face blazed crimson. His tired, grey old eyes glittered with anger. He tore the letter in two with


    a passionate gesture, and flung it on the floor. ' That man's son !" he said; my Mollie !"


    The doof of the study opened, pat upon the last word. A girl, with hair like ripe corn, deg black eye-brows


    and large blue eyes, came in. She was dressed in furs, and her cheeks were bright rose-colour with the cold.


    "I heard you call me, father," she said, "as I passed through the hall. Oh, tea ! Just what I want."


    The Rector made a gesture with his arm. "Sit down, Mollie, if you please," he said. "I wish to speak to you


    upon a grave matter.'


    Mollie looked quickly at her father, but sat down as he commanded, and as she did so the old gentleman was


    unpleasantly conscious of a certain qualm. It was not easy to say what he had to say to this radiant, vivid


    daughter of his, who had ruled him and his house ever since she came back from school.


    "There's a letter there," he began, his voice unconsciously assuming the harsh pedantic note with which he


    was wont to deliver his sermons.


    "It's mine !" came in a shriek, as Mollie dived down on to the hearthrug and picked it up. "Do you mean to


    say you have been reading my letters—you have been spying on me, father?"


    "Not in the least. I picked up the book you have been reading. I picked it up quite by chance; the letter fell


    out. I read it, as it is a father's duty to read any letter from a man to his daughter, when his daughter has never


    told him that she was corresponding with a man."


    "Are men such dreadful things, then?"


    "Mollie, do not be pert. I have read this letter—"


    "So I see; and you have done me the kindness to tear it in half!"


    It was a natural movement, though I regret it," the old gentleman replied. "Mollie, you are corresponding ;


    you appear to imagine yourself engaged to Basil Richardson."


    "I am engaged to him," the girl said quickly, throwing off her fur coat, and fumbling at the neck of her


    blouse. She produced a ring which flashed with diamonds in the lamplight. I have worn this ring round my


    neck for three months, ever since he gave it me. And now what have you to say to it, father?" "I have to say


    this, that never shall you marry a son of Thomas Richardson."




    "Just because he is an actor. Why; his own father doesn't mind. He is making a thousand a year. He can


    support I have no prejudices against actors. Your dear mother and I often went to the theatre when we were


    in London."


    "Then why?"


    "Because," the Rector replied, " no daughter of mine shall ever marry a son of Sir Thomas Richardson."


    "But you have said that before, father ! Supposing I do marry him, as he has asked me. I shall be twenty-one


    in the New Year, and you can't prevent me."


    The Rector, who had been walking up and down the room, stopped. "Would you do that, Mollie?" he asked.


    "I don't know," the girl replied, burying her face in her hands, and beginning to sob.


    "Would you do that, Mollie?"


    She looked up at her father. There were real tears upon her face, but her mouth was smiling still. She went up


    to the old man and put her arms about his neck. "Do you really mean that, father?"


    "Dear, I do really mean that—I must mean


    "They have asked me to the Hall for Christmas Mustn't I go?"


    Dear, you must not go."


    "But what shall we do, you and I alone, father, on Christmas night?"


    We will sit together and think of your dear mother."


    She suddenly took her arms from his neck, and stood back, wards from him.


    " Now, if I agree to what you say, and I have always been a dutiful daughter "—here she made a little


    gesture—" will you promise me one thing?"


    "What is it, Mollie?"


    "That you will sit and watch me entertain you on Christmas night. You mustn't say a word. You mustn't do a


    thing to interrupt. You must just watch the entertainment I provide."


    "My dear daughter, of course, of course. And you will really give him up?"


    "How can I say, father?" she replied. "You ask a hard, the hardest of all things from me. Have I not a right to


    love?"


    Even then the man was not melted. The fanatic hatred of Sir Thomas Richardson—for it was really that,


    though he would have shuddered at the word—persisted in all its cruelty.


    "We have all of us hard things to undergo in life," he said, "and it is by such trials that we are ennobled and


    purified."


    The Rector sat alone and smoked. He congratulated himself upon his firmness. And when they met again at


    the evening meal, he was more certain of his own wisdom than before.


    "You asked me a question this afternoon, father," she whispered. "Well, I have been thinking over what you


    said, and I have decided."


    "Yes, dear!"


    "I promise you, father, that I will not go to the Hall for Christmas, unless you yourself come with me!"


    The Rector laughed grimly. "I am as likely to sup with the King at Buckingham Palace," he said. "But there


    is another and far graver question, Mollie."


    "I know, dear," she answered, " and here also I will give in to you. I will never marry Basil Richardson


    unless you give consent."


    The Rector was never, at any time, a happy man. But that night as he went to bed, his old veins were warm


    with satisfaction, and if the voice of conscience made itself heard at all, pride and obstinacy stifled it in a


    moment, and his daughter's submission put the final touch to his complacency.


    * * * * * * *


    Christmas Day was bitterly cold. The three church bells which summoned the village folk to the festival rang


    thin and mournful. Mollie and the schoolmaster's wife had decorated the church with holly, but it was a poor


    attempt. The congregation was scanty—for the Rector had never really got hold of the hearts of his people—




    and the Christmas hymns echoed sadly in the gaunt, cold church. At lunch the Rector was very silent. He had


    given his daughter a gold neck-chain for a Christmas present.


    It was one which had belonged to her mother. To do him justice, Mr. Underworld tried to be cheerful, but a


    leaden depression lay about his heart, and his pretences were futile. Mollie seemed lost in thought. She


    ministered to her father with a drooping mouth : "I hate festivals and holiday times," she said once, with a


    suspicious catch in her voice.


    "I am sorry, my dear," her father answered, "that I cannot give you a gayer Christmas. You are young, and,


    of course—" - He broke off suddenly, remembering at whose will it was that sadness lay like a cloud over


    the Rectory.


    Yet again Mollie proved herself a dutiful daughter. "Never mind, father," she said, "we cannot always be


    gay. I am quite happy, really. Besides, to-night I am going to entertain you. You remember your promise?"


    " What was that, my dear?" the Rector asked.


    " Why, that I was to entertain you this evening. That you were to watch the little performance I have


    arranged, and under no circumstances whatever were to speak a word until it is all over." She threw a


    reproach in her voice as she went on. "Surely, father," she said, " you remember that I, that I—" "Of course,


    of course, dear," he said hurriedly, terrified lest the question of her promise should arise again. "I quite re-


    member now."


    "Then it will be after dinner, father."


    "Yes!" the miserable man replied, rubbing his hands together, "after the excellent turkey from the Glebe


    Farm, and Mrs. Redmond's plum pudding." It was an appalling effort at cheerfulness, and he knew it. Mollie


    knew it, and her father knew that she knew it. Lunch progressed to its end in moody silence.


    Dinner was gloomier still. All the afternoon the Rector had been filled with thoughts of his wife. He felt


    utterly lonely and depressed: Even his daughter's conversation, and the girl seemed in curiously high spirits


    and suppressed excitement, only intensified his melancholy. After the meal Mollie reminded him of his


    promise. "You are to go into the drawing-room," she said ; " a fire has been lighted, and the folding doors


    leading to the small drawing-room are shut. There is an arm-chair put ready for you, and remember, father,


    your promise that you will not say a single word until my little performance is over!"


    The Rector sipped his glass of port for a moment, and then crossed the hall to the drawing-room—a room he


    hardly ever entered now. A bright fire was burning on the hearth, an armchair faced the folding doors, and he


    sank into it with a sigh.


    He had been sitting there for two or three minutes, when low music began from the other side of the doors, as


    someone touched the old Broadwood piano with a skilful hand. The Rector started. The tune was that sweet


    old melody : "Robin Adair "—his wife's favourite song. She had often played and sung it to him in the past,


    and the very touch of the unseen pianist reminded him of the one who was gone.


    Then the doors slowly opened, and again the Rector started. The room beyond was arranged in a way that


    was startlingly familiar, though he had not seen it so for years. The piano was in the place it occupied in his


    wife's life-time, and the back was draped with some old Chinese figured silk that he had not seen since her


    death. Mollie was seated at the piano, but a changed Mollie. Her hair fell on each side of her forehead in


    smooth bands. She wore the clothes that girls used to wear forty years before—you may see them in the


    pictures of Du Maurier in "Punch" of that period—the high frill of lace round the neck; the flounced skirt ;


    the bustle! Mrs. Underwood was dressed like that when, a fresh and radiant girl, he had first met her.


    And how like, how wonderfully like, Mollie's voice was when she began to speak! A trembling hand went up


    to the Rector's eyes and brushed something away. Low and sweet, with that gentle precision Mrs.


    Underwood had always used, but which her husband had never heard from his daughter's lips before, the


    words echoed out into the quiet room. "He is coming ! My dear love is coming. I am happier than I thought it


    possible to be. How beautiful the world is! How good God is, who has given me this priceless gift of love!"


    Idly one slim hand—there were quaint, old-fashioned rings upon it—touched the keys, and again the


    plaintive old Scotch air was heard. Then the girl jumped up from the piano and stood tense in an attitude of


    listening ; her eyes sparkled, her lips were parted.


    There came a knock at the door, it opened, and a tall young man came in with a cry of joy. He went up to


    Mollie and clasped her in his arms, kissing her reverently upon the brow.


    He was dressed as young men of position were dressed forty years ago. His frock-coat was tightly buttoned


    at the waist. His wide trousers had a military stripe down them at one side. His hair was rather long, and he




    wore a faint down of side whiskers, while the rest of his face was shaved. The Rector had dressed like that,


    on occasions of ceremony, when he was an undergraduate.


    "And is it true, is it really true, darling?" came in a low, musical voice, trembling with passion. "Is it really


    true that you will entrust your life to me?"


    "It is quite_true, to you and to no one else, ever."


    The old man in the chair was bending forward, gripping the arms, his mouth working, his eyes wide. He was


    back again in the past. In the surprise and shock he forgot the present. He never gave a thought to the identity


    of this young man, he forgot that the girl before him was his daughter. In his dry and anguished heart some


    spring, some fountain of healing waters was liberated—even as the waters gushed forth from the rock when


    stricken by the wand of Moses. And it was a magic wand indeed that had wrought this transformation—the


    magic wand of Art!


    "Nothing shall ever part us, shall it, dear?" the girl asked, clinging to her lover, her hands upon his shoulders,


    looking up into his face.


    Who could part us?" he answered with proud confidence.


    "It would be cruel," she whispered; "I think I should die " —and then for the first time Mollie glanced


    towards the inner room. Her eyes met her father's, the young man's eyes followed hers, and the Rector found


    himself gazing at two fresh young faces with a mute enquiry upon them. There was a dead silence as the old


    man suddenly understood.


    Mollie and her lover looked at him fixedly. It was hardly an appeal ; the Rector at any rate felt that he was


    being judged. He rose from his chair with some difficulty, and went towards them with his hands


    outstretched. His whole face was changed. It shone with blessing.


    "My dears!" was all that he said, and then his daughter's arms were round him, and she was sobbing on his


    breast.


    The Rev. Mr. Underwood found himself shaking hands with a clean-shaven, handsome young man, whose


    side whiskers and long hair had mysteriously vanished.


    I will be very good to her, sir ! I will devote my whole life to making her happy. And my father says "—here


    the young hesitated for a moment—" my father says, sir, will you come and join our Christmas festivities? It


    is only a step to the Hall, as you know."


    The tears were still upon his cheeks, but the Rector threw back his head and laughed—full, merry laughter,


    such as no one had heard from him for years. "What can I do," he cried," against such profound cunning and


    calculation as this? Mollie, my dear, run and get me my fur coat."


    And of the rest of the proceedings, of the jovial Squire's Christmas greeting to his old enemy and his new


    friend; and how the wassail bowl, with the hot apples hissing in it, was brought into the old panelled hall;


    and how they all danced Sir' Roger de Coverley together, and of how Mollie was queen of the joyous night—


    are not these things written in the chronicles of the Houses of Richardson and Underwood? — "The


    Freemason," London.


    ————————


    REVIEW.


    ——<>——


    "THE THEOSOPHICAL PATH."—A monthly magazine, published at the International Theosophical


    Headquarters, Point Loma, California, and edited by Miss Katherine Tingley.


    ———


    We raise our hat to Miss Tingley, not alone by reason of her sex, but to honour her intellectuality, her talents,


    and her efforts in the cause of humanity. The writer of this review is not a Theosophist,' having no more


    knowledge than the average man of the tenets and objects of the cult; and sequentially his ignorance


    deprecates antagonism, either implied or expressed.


    In reviewing the October number, the CRAFTSMAN reiterates its former comments as to the able editing, the


    intellectuality of the high-class articles submitted, the remarkably fine illustrations, and the excellence of


    every detail in the production of the magazine. Indeed, there are few journals, even in America, that have


    stronger claims on the suffrages of the literary mind, apart from its peculiar tenets, than "The Theosophical


    Path."




    The first article in the October number bears the caption, " Theosophy—Unsectarian and Non-political." The


    writer of that article says : "The principal purpose and aim of the Theosophical Society, since its formation


    by H. P. Blavatsky in New York in 1875, and still more strongly insisted upon since its reorganisation by


    Katherine Tingley in 1898 as the Universal Brotherhood and Theosophical Society, has been, and is, to


    accentuate the fundamental principle of Theosophy—viz., universal brotherhood. Harmony based on those


    foundation truths which are the very essence of Theosophy, the basic truths common to all religions ; to seek


    for the common ground ; not to accentuate any creed, any dogma, not to support any church or any religion,


    even the greatest, but to support Religion, Truth—these alone can make man free.


    "To come now to the application of the foregoing and the reason for making this statement, the following has


    been brought to our attention. It is a statement published in the official organ in the U.S.A. of a society which


    claims to be 'Theosophical,' the same being a section of a society of which Mrs. Annie Besant, a professed


    'Theosophist,' is president. The statement in question, which quotes authoritatively from Mrs. Besant, is as


    follows :-


    "Our President has not left us in doubt as to the activities to which we should devote our every


    available energy in the immediate future; we have not been left groping to find those excellent things


    for ourselves. In the ' Watchtower' for November, 1916, she has with directness and force informed us


    that it is a matter of very great importance that we shall do what we can (1) to strengthen the work of


    Co-Masonry ; (2) to help in the establishment of that intellectually inclined, old, but yet very small


    church, known as the 'Old Catholic Church,' among Theosophists ; and (3) to aid in giving out the


    educational ideas for the future race. She has made it clear as daylight that we are to take the light of


    Theosophy into the outer world, entering the four great departments of life which so much need the


    illumination of our teaching at this critical time : these are politics, religion, education, and social


    reform.


    "For the sake of those of the public who may have been misinformed or do not know the facts, it should be


    stated that neither Mrs. Besant. nor any of her followers, nor, again, any of the members of the so-called


    Theosophical Society of which she is president, is a member of, or affiliated with, the original Theosophical


    Society founded by H. P. Blavatsky, which is now known as the Universal Brotherhood and Theosophical


    Society, of which Katherine Tingley is the leader and official head, with international headquarters at Point


    Loma, California."


    "But there is still another reason for making this present statement and for emphasising the fact that neither


    Mrs. Besant nor any of her followers is a member of, or associated with, or endorsed by the Universal


    Brotherhood and Theosophical Society, which reason is to be found in Mrs. Besant's advocacy of Co-


    Masonry and her urging her followers to actively participate in politics."


    "Wide publicity has recently been given in the daily press to the recent action of the British Government in


    India in placing restrictions upon Mrs. Annie Besant, on account of her political activities. An Associated


    Press despatch, also widely published, reports that in the House of Commons, 11th July, the following


    statement was made by Mr. Austin Chamberlain, Secretary for India :-


    " The Madras Government had offered to relax its prohibition of Mrs Annie Besant, head of the


    Theosophical Society, so far as it affected her Theosophical and religious activities, but that Mrs.


    Besant declined the concession on the ground that it was impossible to separate her Theosophical and


    political work.*


    "*When just about to go to press, information was received through the publication of an Associated


    Press dispatch, dated Bombay, India, 17th September, that Mrs. Besant and two of her associates have


    been released from internment by the Madras Government. They had been held for political agitation.'


    The Press dispatch further states as follows : It was recently announced that the Indian Government


    was prepared to recommend to the Madras Government that the restrictions placed on these people be


    removed if the Government were satisfied they would refrain from unconstitutional and violent


    methods and political agitation for the remainder of the war.' "


    "The only alternative conclusion, if the above be not held as applicable, is that Mrs. Besant has totally failed


    to understand the principles and teachings of Theosophy and the first object of the Theosophical Society. It


    should be said that Mrs. Besant ceased to be a member of the original Theosophical Society, being removed


    from its ranks by a majority vote of ninety-three per cent of its members as far back as 1895, and at no time


    since having been recognised by the members of that society as an exponent of Theosophy."




    We are led to quote somewhat fully from the foregoing article because for some years past the emissaries of


    this Mrs. Besant have been actively engaged in propaganda work in connection with what is called Co-


    Masonry in this country, and under the direct ægis of Theosophy. From the above two things are clear :


    Firstly, the attitude taken up by Theosophy against entering the public arena on religious, political, and social


    questions is precisely that of Freemasonry, and the reasons are also in accord ; secondly, the obstinate


    determination of the person at the head of so-called Indian Theosophy to interfere in what does not, or should


    not, concern her has not only had the effect of severing the relationship with what appears to be Theosophy


    proper, but has brought her into conflict with the Indian Government, who have had to take the firmest steps


    to restrain this irrepressible female, whose sole object in life would appear to be notoriety of any kind.


    Another excellent October article is headed "Self-Knowledge," which is generally difficult to induce folks to


    acquire ; but the value of the article may be understood from one extract—viz., " Be humble, if thou wouldst


    attain knowledge ; be humbler still, when knowledge thou hast attained." A most interesting change is made


    in views of Switzerland, in which some excellently produced views are briefly explained, and makes one


    long for a sight of the beauties of the lakes and the rarefied air of the wonderful mountains.


    The "Soul of India" is historically dressed, and the Theosophical reference is not obtrusive. A complete


    change is made in discussing "An Old Book," which appears to have been written by one Tiphaigne de la


    Roche in 1760. The following short extract would almost seem to indicate that he had a premonition of what


    "cultured" Germany would be in the 20th century :—


    "I have often found great folly among the nations that pass for the most civilised and sometimes as great


    wisdom among those that are counted the most savage. I have seen small states supported by virtue, and


    mighty empires shaken by vice, whilst a mistaken policy has been employed to enrich the subjects, without


    any endeavour to render them virtuous."


    We should like to continue our interesting comment, but space calls out in protest.


    ————————


    INVERCARGILL HONOURED.


    ——<>——


    VISIT OF THE DEPUTY-GRAND MASTER.


    ———


    It was certainly a happy coincidence that the date of R.W. Bro. J. J. Clark's visit to Invercargill was that of


    the regular meeting of Lodge St. John, No. 94, thus providing the opportunity of investing R.W. Bro. A. Le


    H. Hoyles as Prov.G.M. of Southland in his own Lodge and on its regular date of meeting.


    W. Bro. F. Bonifant, W.M., and his officers had spared no pains to make the occasion a memorable one, and


    their energies were well rewarded. Each of the three town Lodges and Lodge Waihopai provided attendances


    equal to their regular meetings ; by half-past seven the room was well filled so far as ordinary


    accommodation goes, and quite a number were seated on the extra chairs provided. The orchestra was


    present in full force ; Bro. J. Storrie acted as Trumpeter.


    R.W. Bro. Clark stated the object of the meeting. Then the Prov.G.M.-designate was received ; prayer by


    Chaplain W. Bro. J. Aitken, P.S.G.D. ; address by R.W. Bro. J. J. Clark, Dep. G.M., investment of R.W. Bro.


    A. Le H. Hoyles as Prov.G.M. ; address to Prov.G.M. by R.W. Bro. T. M. Rankin, P.Prov.- G.M. address to


    Prov.G.M. by R.W. Bro. T. M. Rankin, P.Prov.G.M. ; address to Lodges by R.W. Prov.G.M. ; prayer by


    Chaplain. The ceremony was punctuated throughout by applicable odes, musical honours, and selections.


    Perhaps it would be safe to say that the address or charge to the Prov.G.M. by Bro. Clark was the most


    impressive, yet the Address after Investiture by R.W. Bro. T. M. Rankin remains fixed in the writer's mind.


    Only a thorough ritualist and one well versed in Masonic knowledge could possibly have introduced personal


    reference to Bro. Hoyles in such beautiful language as that used by Bro. Rankin.


    The R.W. Prov.G.M., in addressing the Lodges at the final part of the ceremony, after returning thanks to one


    and all for their attendance and assistance, spoke feelingly of the co-operation of his brethren during the past


    year. With their sympathetic help, his duties had been lightened and made extremely pleasurable. He looked


    forward with confidence to a continuance of this brotherhood during the incoming year. Bro. Hoyles need


    have no doubts thereon, for he has the full respect and esteem, as well as the brotherly love, of Freemansons


    through. out the district ; when he thoroughly comprehends this he will be able to cease to some extent


    clinging to the virtue he has added to the four cardinal ones—viz., modesty.




    W. Bro. R. Prentice, P.D. of C., carried out the duties of D. of C. with a dignity becoming of the office.


    Being an unusual ceremony seemed to cause Bro. Prentice no concern, and he exercised an ease of manner


    that was impressive and at the same time helpful to all.


    M.W. Bro. M. Thompson, P.G.M., had provided for the occasion a splendid gramophone with excellent


    records, which were reproduced at suitable times. The orchestral items, too, were in thorough keeping with


    the ceremony, and Bro. J. M`Crostie as leader is, along with his musical brethren, deserving of great praise


    and congratulation.


    Greetings were tendered to the Dep.-G.M. by the representatives of the Lodges present, and after the


    Prov.G.M.'s address and prayer by the Chaplain, W. Bro. Bonifant resumed the chair. A special hymn was


    sung for our brethren at the front, and then the full National Anthem.










    At the after-meeting a good supper was provided by the Stewards, and toasts were honoured, interspersed


    with gramophone records. "The Dep-G.M." was in the very capable hands of M.W. Bro. M. Thompson, who


    delivered a splendid speech, finishing with a humorous reference to Bro. Clark's state of bachelordom.


    "Where," he asked, "would Freemasonry be in the future if all were as our respected guest?" "Where would


    the future generation be?" The race would die out in our present day. He was sorry a ladies' night had not


    been arranged in connection with the reception to Bro. Clark in order to possibly correct the one apparent


    shortcoming of the Dep. G.M.


    R.W. Bro. J. J. Clark, in replying, delivered a speech such as is seldom heard, and in a manner that


    maintained the rapt attention of everyone from the first word to the last. A speech that could not fail to do


    every brother some good, and to spur many a faltering one on to greater effort 'in the future. His forcefulness


    and clearness of delivery, his perfect command of language, his frequent use of charming terms, and, above.


    all, his constant ring of sincerity were all factors making his address a memorable one. It was a brother from


    far north (Lodge Tongariro) who regretted that Bro. Clark's speech could not be recorded verbatim for the


    benefit of those who were unable to hear him. Everyone shares that regret, and in the absence of shorthand


    notes no attempt will be made to report the speech; shorthand alone could do justice.


    The toast "Brethren at the Front" was proposed by W. Bro. A. B. Haggitt. Various other toasts were duly


    honoured. Thus concluded an evening that will long remain in the memory of those who had the opportunity


    of attending.




    On the following day, Saturday, the. Dep.-G.M. was motored out to Gore, where representatives from


    Lodges Mataura, Waikaia, and Waikaka were met. The gathering took the form of a reception meeting, and


    R.W. Bro. Clark contributed a most interesting paper relating to Freemasonry in its earliest stages. An


    enjoyable time was spent in the refectory, and the party motored back to Invercargill, reaching town shortly


    after midnight.


    On Sunday, M.W. Bro. M. Thompson took our esteemed visitor by motor to his seaside cottage at Riverton.


    This township, famed for its triple scenic attractions—bush, river, and sea —is always a favourite resort, but


    to R.W. Bro. Clark there was an added interest in the fact that he was visiting his birthplace. Lodge Aparima


    assembled in the afternoon, and another reception meeting, with a short address from the Dep. G.M., was


    held. Thence, in the care of R.W. Bro. Wm. Timpany, a run was made to Otautau, and Lodge Wallace was


    visited.


    Altogether representatives from thirteen Southland Lodges were met during Bro. Clark's brief stay in the


    district. This pleasing record was made possible by the energies of R.W. Bro. Hoyles, M.W. Bro. Thompson,


    R.W. Bros. Rankin, Timpany, Prentice, and Campbell, and to these brethren praise is due.


    ————————


    UNITED MEETING IN SOUTH CANTERBURY.


    ——<>——


    A united meeting of South Canterbury Lodges was held in St. John's Lodge, Timaru, on Monday, 8th


    October, under the Charter of the Lodge of St. John, No. 1137, E.C. The inclement weather and the bad state


    of the roads prevented many Masons attending ; nevertheless 157 brethren assembled in Lodge, noticeable


    among them being brethren from Lodge Mackenzie, Fairlie, who motored to Timaru and back under very


    trying circumstances. The Lodge was opened, and the business of the regular monthly meeting being


    concluded, W. Bro. W. Chapman invited W. Bro. G. J. Wallace to occupy the chair and conduct the


    ceremony of initiation. W. Bro. A. J. Jones, D. of C. (Lodge of St. John), then conducted the following


    officers to their chairs : S.W., W. Bro. G., Burns (Caledonian); J.W., W. Bro. R. C. Littlejohn (Koranga) ;


    Chaplain, W. Bro. J. E. S. Jackson (St. John); S.D., W. Bro. G. P. Wood (St. John); J.D., W. Bro. Wm.


    McBride (Caledonian); I.G., W. Bro. G. T. Palmer (St. John). W. Bro. Kenneth McKenzie, Dep.P.G.M., and


    W. Bro. Norman L. McBeath, Dep.D.G.M., with their officers, were then received with honours. One


    candidate was initiated by the W.M., assisted by W. Bro. Chapman (Ob.); W. Bro. C. J. Mahan, Timaru


    (Lesser Lights); W. Bro. D. McCaskill, Koranga (Secrets); W. Bro. F. C. Watson, St. John (Charge after


    Investiture); W. Bro. Fergus Paterson, Winchester (N.E. Charge); W. Bro. J. J. McKeown, Pareora (W.Ts.);


    W. Bro. N. L. McBeath, Dep.D.G.M. (presentation of B. of C. and By-laws); W. Bro. A. E. Smith, St.


    George (Final Charge). During the recess W. Bro. Chapman sang "In the Cathedral" (Batiste). The Lodge


    closed with the impressive additional ritual, instituted by the Lodge of St. John, in remembrance of our


    brethren who have fallen and the brethren who are on active service, together with those who have been


    returned discharged from active service. Of the South Canterbury brethren six have paid the supreme


    sacrifice, sixty-eight were on active service, and eight returned honourably discharged.


    At the supper following the toasts of the two Constitutions were honoured and replied to by W Bro. K.


    Mackenzie, D.Prov.G.M., and W. Bro. N. L. McBeath, Dep.D.G.M. Among many good speeches the reply


    of W. Bro. G. J. Wallace, of Lodge Koranga, to the toast of the "W.M. in the Chair," proposed by W. Bro.


    W. Chapman, may be quoted. In the course of his remarks W. Bro. Wallace mentioned how we often used


    the customs of operative masonry as symbols in our teaching, and stated that the great struggle now going on


    in Europe suggests a lesson in this way. "As the best material which operative Masons are using to-day was


    at one time thrown from the bowels of the earth by some fearful volcano, ant was poured out in streams of


    lava, devastating all within its scope; so the lava stream of human blood, the mingled blood of many nations,


    which was to-day pouring from the human volcano in Europe, carrying death and desolation to almost every


    home in the world, would ultimately prove a suitable material, or a cement which will bind the various


    nations in the bonds of universal brotherhood."


    ————————


    THE FEATHERSTON MILITARY CAMP MASONIC CLUB.


    ——<>——


    The first annual meeting was held in the Club Room, Salvation Army Institute, on 21st November, W. Bro.


    Everton presiding. There was an excellent attendance of camp members and visitors from Greytown,




    Martinborough, and Featherston. M.W. Bro. H. J. Williams and R.W. Bro. J. W. Ellison, Prov.G.M., were


    also present by special invitation.


    From the annual report we gather that 28 meetings have been held, with an attendance of 848, or an average


    of 30 per meeting ; the smallest attendance was 14, and the largest 98. The original room of meeting proving


    all too small, a larger one was provided by the Salvation Army—through the efforts of Chaplain-Captain


    Green—in the tower of the Institute, which was opened with great eclat. W. Bro, Everton, with the co-


    operation of the Wairarapa Lodges, provided a piano, which has proved a great acquisition.


    It is specially noted that R.W. Bro. Peterkin paid three visits to the Club, and addresses were given by W.


    Bro. Surgeon-General Henderson and R.W. Bro J. W. Ellison, Prov.G.M. Refreshments have been provided


    at each meeting, and four toasts are honoured—viz., "The King and Craft," "Brethren at the Front," "New


    Members," and the Tyler's. The second toast frequently brings forth letters from those at the front, who write


    and recall the pleasant evenings spent. The adoption of a card system has enabled the executive to keep a


    record of each member and the date of his departure from New Zealand. The self-sacrificing efforts of the


    President (W. Bro. Everton, of St. John's Lodge) were gratefully acknowledged. Lieut. H. W. Johnston is the


    present Secretary of the Club.


    The statement of receipts and expenditure, read by the Treasurer, is conspicuous by its extreme modesty. It


    shows that the total receipts only amounted to £37 8s., and the expenditure to £35 16s. 11d., leaving a


    balance of £1 11s. 1d. Of this disbursement £20 12s. was for furniture. All the refreshments appear to have


    been kindly, but unostentatiously, donated. The chairman moved the adoption of the report, which was


    agreed to.


    By special request, M.W. Bro. Williams then addressed the meeting, first referring to certain points of the


    report and accounts, and then addressing the meeting on "Association." R.W. Bro. Ellison then took the


    floor, and, in referring to the "Foreign Correspondence" of the American books of proceedings, read certain


    extracts and rulings, as indicating, to our eyes, strange customs.


    At this stage Lieut.-Colonel Robertson assumed the chair, and, refreshments having been handed round,


    proceeded with the toast list, which on this occasion also included "G.Ls." and the "President." The toasts


    were interspersed with songs and recitations, and things went merrily until the sound of the "Last Post"


    dispersed what had been a very pleasant gathering. Chaplain-Captain Green, who is the unofficial


    representative of the G.L. of New Zealand, is to be congratulated on his whole-hearted efforts to promote the


    welfare of all brethren who come to the camp.


    ————————


    NEVER MIND ENEMIES.


    ——<>——


    You can't can't make a real success without making real enemies.


    You can't hold a strong position without opposition.


    You won't seem right to any if you don't seem wrong to many.


    You may stub your advancing feet against jealousy and bigotry and rascality. And the more decidedly you


    progress, the more vehemently you'll conflict with those who dislike you.


    You can't attain without pain; you can't secure your rights without hundreds of others believing that you have


    interfered with their rights. — " Brotherhood."







    ————————


    SUBSCRIPTIONS ACKNOWLEDGED TO 22nd NOVEMBER.


    ——<>——


    A. Murray 30/- (Fendalton), J. C. Davidson (Dannevirke), J. W. McDougall, E. Eales, J. Johnston, L.


    Freedman, S. H. Tucker (Napier), J. F. Brooks 5/- (Cambridge). Lodge Wario 20/- (Blackball), H. A. Norris


    (Petone), D. Manson 10/- (Christchurch), R. B. Clouston 39/2, W. Tailby 6/3; R. Bradley, S. F. Whyte 30/-,


    W. W. Daw, H. Walker 27/6; Dr. McKelvey 15/-, L. Simmons, O. Harvey, W. J. Stenson 22/6; F. W. Benns


    17/6, F. W. Smith 22/6, S. L. Bygrave 13/4, C. H. Jenkins, N. T . Williams 5/-, W. G. Allen, M. Copeland;


    V. Anderson, A. G. Graham, Major Jolly, F. B. Spencer, C. E. Dulton, C. T. Haynes (Auckland), Captain


    Green (Featherston), F. C. Spinley 46/8 (Devonport), R. English 21/8, A. G. Sandford 17/6, F. W. Luxford


    30/-, C. Speight 20/-, H. E. Tristram 27/6, E. A. Tisch 27/6, R. A. Andrews 27/6, H. B. Jenkins 21/8, T. B.


    Booth, A. Moody 19/2, A. Grigg 20/-, J. Herbert, J. Acheson 17/6, J. Shannon 27/6, A. Bullock 40/10, W. E.


    Burrow, R. A. Johnston 20/-, T. Johnson 20/10 (Hamilton), C. L. Innis 69/-, A. Robertson, C. McDiarmid, A.


    Stuart (Marton), P. C. Watt 10/-, J. Georgeson 10/-, J. Gentles, A. T. Peterkin (Wellington), N. Jargeson, S.


    Paul (Westport), Geo. Palmer 22/6, H. Thorpe, P. C. Gould (Ngaruawahia), J. Heerdegen 27/6, J. Willis, J.


    Ormsby, B. Budden, C. Miller, R. Green, A. H. Lord (Otorohanga), H. F. Forster, J. E. Stuart, T. Black, J. C.


    Paterson (Whawharua), H. A. Ringer (Otewa), J. Currie 30/10, R. Hyman 10/-, J. Imrie 20/-, T. Emmerson


    17/6 (Timaru), R. V. Parker (Island Bay), T. E. Bickford 10/10 (Hawera), G. A. Cornish 27/6, R. L. Somers


    20/10, J. Motley 17/6, H. W. Dalton 20/-, E. H. Hawken, A. J. Graham, G. T. Simpson, G. H. Deverell (Te


    Aroha), A. J. Bray 17/6, F. E. Phillips, W. Jeffery, A. E. Patterson, E. Woodley, H. J. Collins, W. D.


    Teesdale, J. W. Spear, A. Young, C. G. Downes (Te Awamutu), A. G. Smith 30/- (Stoke), W. Whittaker 23/4


    (Whakatane), C. E. Clifton 20/- (Sumner), T. F. Hewat 10/-, J. H. Griffiths 10/-, J. Hislop 30/-, W. J. Palmer,


    T. Riddell, G. D. Smith, Hutchinson Ford, L. H. Fenn, G. H. Suisted, W. White Scott 10d. (Pahiatua), J.


    McKenty, F. Bezbie, G. Armstrong, P. D. Hargreaves (Waikato), W. S. Sanders, A. Shand, — Reid, H.


    Timms, J. Thomson, G. A. Shaw, F. Harris, T, Cox, J. A. Bruce (Huntly), J. E. Walker 55/-, A. F. Howarth


    17/6, H. L. Tempest 6/8, J. W. Cochrane 47/6, H. G. Free 17/6, C. Bowles 17/6, H. A. Ellison 67/6, J. S.


    Duff 17/6 (Te Kuiti), L. Dennis (Hukapapa),, H. Henderson (Piriaka), M. A. Benney (Newmarket), J.


    Chippendall (Millertons), W. A. Carter, — Wright, F. P. Short., P. W. Tombs, F. Howard, J. R. Foot, G. T.


    Roach 17/6 (Hastings), J. Reid, J. R. Richardson, W. Simpson, R. Cowan, R. A. Inglis, F. W. Stout, A. F.


    Allwood, W. J. Dawson, J. H. Stallard, S. Worner 20/-, J. E. Holmes 17/6, D. McLean 21/8, A. E. Furness


    21/8, D. W. Jack 20/10, C. J. Lamare 21/8, A. McLeod 27/6 (Whangarei), Captain Gibbons, F. Goodman, J.


    Cowell (Onehunga), H. B. La Trobe (Henderson), N. A. Winter (Taumarunui), P. Halliday 58/4, G. H. J.


    Johnston 26/8 (Frankton Junction), W. A. Hutchinson (Wanganui East).


    (All 7/6 but those noted.)


    ———————————————————————————————————————————


    Reports.
    ———————————————————————————————————————————


    [Secretaries and Scribes are requested to forward Reports.]


    ————


    CRAFT LODGES.


    ————


    SOUTHLAND.


    Southern Cross, No. 9.— The regular meeting was held on 2nd November. The ceremony was passing, the


    W.M., W. Bro. I. Copeland, being assisted by Bro. L. L. Padget, S.D. (S.E Charge); W.M. and Wardens


    (W.Ts.); Bro. W. H. Irvine, S.W. (2nd T.B.); and W. Bro. J. Critchfield (Final Charge).—[Lodge


    Correspondent.]


    ————


    St. John, No. 94.— At the regular meeting on 16th November, three E.As. were passed to the F.C. Degree.


    W. Bro. Bonifant gave the Ob., Ss., arid Final Charge ; the W.M. and Wardens the W.Ts. ; and W. Bro. J.


    Aitken, the S.E. Charge.


    ————


    Taringatura, No. 100.-There was a very good attendance of members and visitors at the meeting on 29th


    October, and a full order paper. The annual election of office-bearers resulted in the election of Bro. S. E.




    Griffiths, S.W., as W.M., and for each of the other offices the one brother nominated. The annual report and


    balance-sheet, of which a copy is enclosed, were submitted, and, after a short discussion of a complimentary


    character, were adopted. Briefly put, the membership is now 108, an increase of eight for the year ; the


    balance of assets over liabilities is £1,139 0s. 5d., an increase of £60 17s. 7d. for the year. Nine brethren are


    on active service, one of these, Bro. A. Allan, being wounded at Bellevue on 14th October. The meetings


    during the year have been well attended, and several improvements to the hall and grounds effected. A


    candidate was balloted for and accepted, the proposal re lighting the hall was deferred till December, and


    three candidates were raised to the degree of M.M. by the W.M. (Bro. H. Beer), assisted by W. Bros.


    Graham and Johnson, Bro. Griffiths, S.W., presenting the W.Ts., and Bro. D. K. Fisher the V.S.Ls. at the


    close of the ceremony. After a strenuous evening's work the Lodge closed just before midnight.— [Lodge


    Correspondent.]


    ————


    Winton, No. 108.— The installation meeting was held on 31st October, there being a record attendance. One


    candidate was proposed, and one member received his M.M.'s certificate. The Prov.G.M. wrote


    acknowledging a substantial donation to the War Benevolent and Annuity Funds. A motion of condolence


    was passed with the widow of the late W. Bro. John Graham, who had been killed in action "somewhere in


    France." The late brother was one of the Charter members of Lodge Winton. Visitors were received, and the


    R.W. Prov.G.M., Bro. A. Le H. Hoyles, accompanied by R.W. Bro. W. Smith and other G.L. officers, was


    received. W. Bro. A. B. Haggitt officiated as G.D. of -C., and R.W. Bro. A. Le H. Hoyles acted as I.M.,


    installing Bro. J. A. Broom into the chair. The following office-bearers were invested : S.W., Bro. Rev. C. E.


    P. Webb ; J.W., Bro. H. Liddell; Treas., W. Bro. Jas. .Findlay; Sec., W. Bro. T. Walker ; Organist, W. Bro.


    P. A. de la Perelle ; S.D., W. Bro. W. Young ; J.D., Bro. J. McArthur ; D. of C., W. Bro. J. B. Hamilton ;


    I.G., Bro. Thos. King ; Tyler, Bro. A. Liddell; Ss., Bros. H. Taylor, R. Bailey, and T. McFetridge. The


    following brethren assisted in the investiture of officers :— The Wardens were invested and addressed by


    R.W. Bro. W. Smith; the Treas., Sec., and Organist were invested by W. Bro. Bonifant ; the Deacons, by W.


    Bro. J. Copeland ; the D. of C., by W. Bro. A. N. McGibbon ; the I.C. and Tyler by W. Bro. W. Excell ; the


    Stewards, by W. Bro. H. Beer. R.W. Bro. A. Le H. Hoyles, Prov.G.M., presented the Charter, By-laws, and


    Constitution, and addressed both the W.M. and the brethren. The Invercargill Masonic Orchestra was present


    and carried out the musical portion of the ceremony without a hitch, and was to a considerable extent


    responsible for the real success of the proceedings. The Prov.G.M., in giving H.G.W., congratulated the


    Lodge upon attaining its majority, and at the same time made mention of the Lodge's special effort this year


    on behalf of the special G.L. funds. After the installation the visitors were entertained in real Winton's


    hospitality at a banquet, at which the visiting brethren were unanimously of opinion that they had spent a


    most enjoyable evening, to which once again credit was due to the visiting orchestra. Musical items were


    rendered by Bros. Wootten, Storie, McDonald, and W. Bro. A. N. McGibbon; also two selections by the full


    orchestra of nine members— viz., Bros. Macdonald, Tully, Wootten, :McCrostie, Turner, D. McLean, T. P.


    Robinson, W. Woung, and A. Storrie. —[Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————


    Victoria, No. 147.— The ceremony of initiation was the work on 9th November. The Ob. and Ss. were


    given by the W.M., W. Bro. J. Buchanan; Charge in N.E., by W. Bro. N. J. Brokenshire ; W.Ts., by W. Bro.


    A. Wilson ; R. for Prep., by W. Bro. A. McNeil; and Final Charge, by W. Bro. Petrie. —[Lodge


    Correspondent.]


    ————


    Orepuki, No. 137,-The monthly meeting was held on 8th November. Our western brethren were represented


    by two car-loads from Tuatapere– thirteen miles distant– thus evincing that members are alive and


    enthusiastic. Visiting brethren also were present from Invercargill Lodges. Two candidates were initiated by


    the W.M., Bro. C. C. Nicholas. Assistance was rendered by. W. Bro. F. D. Fortune (Ss. and N.E. Charge),


    W. Bro. C. J. Evans (R. for Prep.), W. Bro. G. E. Charlton (Final Charge), Bro. H. Sorenson (W.Ts.), and


    Bro. F. A. Kemp, J.W., gave the T.B. Lecture very thoroughly. H.G.W. were received from St. John, No. 94,


    and Victoria, No. 147. Light refreshments were served to visitors and brethren. —[Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————————


    CANTERBURY.


    Lincoln, No. 33.— The installation of Bro. Chas. P. Agar, W.M.-elect, was held at Lincoln on 2nd October.


    The attendance was a record. Some 144 brethren signed the attendance book, quite a number being unable to


    witness the ceremony, the accommodation being taxed to the utmost. In the absence of R.W. Bro. Jno.


    Thornton, Prov.G.M. of Canterbury, R.W. Bro. S. Clifton Bingham, P.Prov.G.M., assisted by Prov.G.L.




    officers, performed the ceremony. The W.Ts. of the B. of I.M. were presented by W. Bro. Jno. Richardson,


    G.B.B. The W.Ts. of the three degrees were presented by W. Bros. S. A. Orchard (W.M. of Canterbury


    Lodge, No. 1048, E.C.), J. A. Stables (W.M., St. Augustine, No. 4), and W. E. Scott (W.M., Avon, No. 185).


    The address to the Master was given by R.W. Bro. W. Broadley, P.G.W. W.Bro. A. H. Hobbs, P.G.Supt. of


    W., P.Prov.G.W., invested the Wardens, and the address was given by W. Bro. Morgan Evans, P,Prov.G.W.


    The investiture of the officers for the ensuing year was performed by W. Bro. R. Baldwin, P.Prov.G.W., and


    the address was given by W. Bro. J. N. Du Feu, P.G.D. of C. The following officers were invested :—


    I.P.M., W. Bro. W. T. Street ; S.W., Bro. W. L. Morgan; J.W., Bro. J. G. Scott; Treas., W. Bro. J. McKenzie,


    P.G.S.; Sec., W. Bro. J. Graham, P.Prov.G.D. (on active service) ; acting-Sec., W. Bro. A. Cookson, P.G.O. ;


    S.D., Bro. T. Vogan; J.D., Bro. W. B. Kimber; D. of C., W. Bro. G. H. Ward; I.G., Bro. F. B. Redgrave; Ss.,


    Bros. C. E. Howell (on active service), J. S. Hutchinson, V. C. Parker, and J. H. Deed ; Tyler, Bro. W. G.


    Jennings (who has held the office for thirty-seven years); Preceptor, W. Bro. C. M. Suckling, P.Prov.G.D.


    The appeal on behalf of the W. and O. and A.M. Fund was made by W. Bro. C. Flavell, P.G.Sd.B. A


    presentation was made of a P.M.'s jewel to W. Bro. W. T. Street, I.P.M. —[Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————


    Methven, No. 51.— The usual meeting was held on Wednesday, 24th October, when there was a very large


    gathering. Amongst the work of the evening was the election by usual ballot of W. Bro. W. Todd, P.M., No.


    184, as a joining member. The special work was the raising of one brother. The work was done by Lodge


    Amuri, No. 184, by the kind invitation of W. Bro. H. H. Pawson. W. Bro. Hunter, W.M., with sixteen of his


    officers and P.Ms., received a hearty welcome. Bro. J. Lewis, of Waiau, the D. of C., in a very military


    manner, arranged his officers in their respective chairs. W. Bro. Hunter communicated the Ob. and Secrets,


    and raised the candidate. He was assisted by W. Bro. Goulding (Light of M.M.), W. Bro. Munro (T.H.), W.


    Bro. Dr. Todd (Five Signs), Bro. Derrett, S.W. (Exhort.); Bro. J. J. Lewis, D. of C., presented the W.Ts. ;


    Bro. Nicholson, J.W., gave the C. after R. The whole of the ceremony was carried out with the greatest credit


    to the W.M., officers, and brethren of Lodge Amuri. After resuming the chair, W. Bro. H. H. Pawson


    complimented the visiting Lodge upon their interesting and impressive rendering of the degree. The Lodge-


    room was taxed to its utmost, as Lodge Erewhon, No. 200, turned up in strong numbers, as also did Lodge


    31, who, with their W.M. (W. Bro. Edwards) and a large staff of officers, were present. The brethren, after


    the closing of the Lodge, were invited to a war banquet, but, considering the fact that Freemasons do not


    assemble for the "Fourth" in particular, the evening was most happily and profitably spent in toasts, song,


    and story. Before retiring for the "Fourth," a worthy P.M. of Lodge Erewhon, No. 200, invited the brethren


    of Lodges Methven and Amuri to come over to their installation on the following night, adding that, as they


    would that day visit Lake Coleridge, this made all think it time for the Tyler's toast. At 10 a.m. sharp about


    seven cars, well filled with brethren, their wives and lady friends, made a start for Lake Coleridge, some


    thirty-five miles north, where a most enjoyable picnic was held [correspondent not present], which, I was


    assured, was due to the company and refreshments of the ladies present. I do not know about coming, but the


    return trip occupied seventy-five minutes. The previous evening's rain mercifully kept down the dust, and all


    enjoyed the trip. On Wednesday afternoon and evening W. Bro. A. Smith entertained the visiting Lodge


    Amuri, when every one enjoyed the glorious spread and Bro. and Mrs. Smith's marvellous display of


    flowers. On Thursday night several of the brethren entertained the visiting Lodge as well as local brethren.


    This should be an incentive to follow W. Bro. D. H. Hunter's example and visit, even if they did motor 140


    miles going, and returned by Christchurch— a total of 300 miles. —[Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————


    Christchurch, No. 91.-The monthly meeting was held on 23rd October in the Masonic Hall, W. Bro. Jas.


    Mitchell, W.M., presiding. The ritual work consisted of an initiation. The W.M. obligated the candidate, the


    Secrets being communicated by W. Bro. Geo. Yemm, P.M. The Charge after Investiture was delivered by


    the J.W., Bro. W. Doig; the Charge in the N.E. by W. Bro. W. Kiddey, P.M. The W.Ts, were presented by


    W. Bro. Scott (W.M., Avon Lodge) ; the Final Charge being delivered by W. Bro. F. L. Adams, P.M. The


    Lodge having been closed in due form, the brethren and visitors spent a pleasant hour in the refectory. —


    [Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————


    Amuri, No. 184.— The installation meeting was held on 2nd November, a large attendance being present to


    do honour to Bro. T. G. Thomson, Master-elect. He being in khaki made the occasion unique. R.W. Bro. J.


    Thornton, Prov.G.M., was prevented, through illness, from being present, much to our regret. He deputed a


    worthy representative, in our enthusiastic Prov. G.Sec., W. Bro. Bishop, who was assisted by R.W. Bro.


    Broadley and W. Bros. G. Yemm, A. H. Hobbs, Goulding, Munro, and Kirker, Prov.G,D. of C. A. B. of I.M.




    being formed, Bro. Thomson was duly installed. Brethren being re-admitted, the usual proclamations were


    made by the G.D. of C. The W.Ts. in the respective degrees were presented by W. Bros. Hunter, Hobbs, and


    Kirker. The Warrant, Constitution, and By-laws were presented by R.W. Bro. Broadley. The following


    officers were duly invested : the Wardens (Bro. C. E. Derrett, S.W. ; Bro. H. R. Davison, J.W.) by W. Bro.


    Hobbs, and the junior officers by W. Bro. Yemm : Chaplain, Bro. Rev. J. H. Thomson; S.D., Bro. W.


    Nicholson; ID., Bro. E. Britton; Treas., W. Bro. W. Munro.; Sec., Bro. P. Dunbar ; D. of C., Bro. R. J. Lewis


    ; I.G., Bro. J. Wilson; Ss., Bros. Gallagher, Frame, Davidson, and Campbell; Tyler, Bro. W. Shaw. The


    Installing Master addressed the W.M. ; R.W. Bro. Broadley, the Wardens ; and W. Bro. Hobbs, the brethren.


    Opportunity was taken to present a handsome P.M.'s jewel to W. Bro. Goulding, the presentation being


    entrusted to W. Bro. Hobbs, who did so in his usual able manner. The Lodge regrets W. Bro. Thomson's


    duties preclude him from regular attendance; therefore W. Bro. Hunter has consented to carry on in his


    absence, and hopes for the regular attendance of the P.Ms. Greetings were extended from the brethren in


    Trentham, khaki visitors from Hanmer and various sister Lodges. Refreshments were subsequently served,


    and a pleasant time spent with toasts and harmony.—[Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————————


    MARLBOROUGH AND NELSON.


    Victory, No. 40.—The regular meeting was held on 8th November, when W. Bro. H. P. Stephenson filled


    the chair. The night was a very strenuous one, and consisted of the initiation of four candidates, the various


    portions of the work being taken by W. Bros. Moyes, H. H. Johnston, W. H. Short, J. A. Orsman, and B. H.


    Moller. Sympathy was expressed with Bro. A. Neil on the death of his father. W. Bro. R. H. Bourke (Lodge


    St. Andrew, No. 418, S.C., Auckland) and Bro. D. Blanche (Lodge Moutoa, Wanganui) affiliated, whilst


    there were five ballots for initiation, all being successful. Applications for joining were received on behalf of


    two brethren, whilst three further propositions were received for membership. The Sec. reported that a


    syllabus of work prepared indicated that, unless several emergencies were held, it would take until


    November, 1918, to get through that at present on hand. W. Bro. Stiles gave notice to move the following


    important motion : "Re officers of the Lodge called up for active service.—In the event of an officer of the


    Lodge being called up for active service, necessitating his departure from Nelson, the office held by such


    brother shall be temporarily filled by a P.M. of the Lodge; that if such brother is absent at the time of


    nomination of officers in March, he shall be duly nominated for the next succeeding office, and, if elected,


    shall, on his return to Nelson, be invested in the office to which he has been elected." The Lodge has sent its


    ninth donation to the War Benevolent Fund, making a total of £114 10s. now subscribed.—[Lodge


    Correspondent.]


    ————


    Forest, No. 116. The installation of Bro. John R. Gaukrodger as W.M. took place in the hall at Wakefield on


    14th November. There was a good attendance of members, and Lodges Victory, Southern Star, and Motueka


    were well represented. R.W. Bro. C. H. Mills' Prov.G.M. of Marlborough and Nelson, was the Installing


    Master, and W. Bro. R. W. Stiles, P.J.G.D., acted as D. of C. The Installing Master was assisted in the


    ceremony by R.W. Bro. W. Moyes, P.P.G.M., W. Bros. J. A. Orsman, G. M. Simpson, C. Leaper, W. Thorn,


    W. Street, E. Dimant, G. J. W. Boundy, E. J. Thomas, and J. L. Ching. The following brethren were duly


    invested : I.P.M., W. Bro. A. D. Syder ; S.W., Bro. L. O. Baigent; J.W. Bro. V. N. Granville; Sec., W. Bro.


    H. Franklyn ; Treas., W. Bro. H. C. Fitzsimmons ; Chaplain, W. Bro. W. Thorn; D. of C., W. Bro, F. W. O.


    Smith; S.D. Bro. R. W. Noake ; J.D., Bro. L. McGowan ; I.G., Bro. W. Max ; Tyler, W. Bro. W. G. Syder ;


    Ss., Bros. H. Tunnicliffe and N. B. Brown. £4 5s. was collected in aid of the W. and O. and A.M. Fund. —


    [Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————————


    AUCKLAND.


    United Service, No. 10.—The regular meeting was held in the Freemasons' Hall, Princes Street, on 31st


    October. W. Bro. J. W. Swales occupied the chair. At the request of Ara Lodge, No. 1, and by special


    dispensation, a brother of that Lodge was passed to the F.C. Degree. W. Bro. A. G. Graham, W.M. of Ara


    Lodge, gave the Ob., Secrets, and T.B. of the Second Degree; W. Bro. A. I. Farmer, Sec. of Ara Lodge, gave


    the S.E. Corner Address. Bro. Brigadier A. B. Carmichael read a paper entitled "Masonic Social Obligations,


    1st Part," at the conclusion of which a hearty vote of thanks was tendered him for his very interesting paper.


    News with regard to the following brethren at the front were received : W. Bro. Edwards, Bros. Lloyd, Salt-,


    Spinley, Swales (all of Wellington), and Tailby, jun. (returning to New Zealand). Congratulations having


    been tendered, the Lodge was closed, and the brethren retired to the refectory, where a very enjoyable




    programme had been provided by the Organist (Bro. A. Perry), concluding with "Auld Lang Syne." —


    [Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————


    Waipa, No. 119.— The installation of Bro. Wm. Jeffery as W.M. of Lodge Waipa, Te Awamutu, took place


    on 9th October. The duties of Installing Master were ably filled by R.W. Bro. W. R. Leighton, G.D. of C., in


    the absence of the Prov.G.M. owing to regrettable illness in his family. The following officers were invested


    by W. Bro. H. Benne, of Lodge Maniapoto, No. 206 : I.P.M., W. Bro. J. Bathurst; D.M., W. Bro. H. Y.


    Collins; S.W., Bro. J. Morgan; J.W., Bro. A. Young ; Treas., Bro. C. G. Downes; Sec., Bro. L. G.


    Armstrong; Chaplain, Bro. H. Innes-Jones; D. of C., W. Bro. A. J. Bray; S.D., Bro. G. Gifford; J.D., Bro. F.


    J. Gilbert; I.G., Bro. W. Mensforth; Tyler, W. Bro. R. Dawson; S.S., Bro. F. E. Phillips; J.S, Bro. A. E.


    Patterson. After the ceremony a pleasant time was spent at the Empire Cafe, where the usual toasts were


    honoured. —[Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————


    Te Marama, No. 186.—The annual fleeting for installation of officers was held on 8th October. Lodge was


    promptly tyled, and visitors and Lodges were admitted. Ninety-two brethren signed the attendance book, and


    were rewarded for their somewhat unpleasant road experience by a very impressive and enjoyable ceremony.


    G.L. was represented by M.W. Bro. Malcolm Niccol, G.Sec., and W. Bro. W. R. Leighton, G.D. of C.


    attended by other G.L. officers. M.W. Bro. Malcolm Niccol, in greeting the brethren, regretted the absence


    of M.W. Bro. Oliver Nicholson, G.M., who was unable to be present owing to other duties. W. Bro. W. R.


    Leighton acted as Installing Master, and installed Bro. H. J. Sampson into the chair. The W.M. then invested


    his officers as under : I.P.M., W. Bro. P. P. Bynon Powell; D.M., W. Bro. R. L. Thomas ; S.W., Bro. P. C.


    Gould; J.W., Bro. H. M. Thorpe; Treas., W. Bro. J. Colhoun; Sec., Bro. E. H. Todd; Chaplain, Bro. W. V.


    Hardwick; D. of C., W. Bro. J. R. Hetherington; S.D. Bro. R. E. Bell; J.D., Bro. S. B. Davies ; I.G., Bro. F.


    W. Varley ; Organist, Bro. T. M. Simpson; S.S., Bro. G. Palmer; J.S., Bro. H. Wheeler ; Tyler, Bro. W.


    Hyde. The Installing Master, on the request of the W.M., presented to W. Bro. P. P. Bynon Powell, on behalf


    of the brethren of Te Marama, a P.M.'s jewel, the W. brother suitably responding. The Sec. reported having


    received an additional gift to the Lodge in the shape of a very handsome W.M.'s silver collar, having been


    presented to the Lodge by Bro. G. E. Hale. The W.M., in accepting the gift, expressed his great pleasure in


    doing so on behalf of the Lodge, and a very hearty vote of thanks and appreciation was passed to Bro. G. E.


    Hall for his generous gift, the Sec. being instructed to convey the same to Bro. Hall and record the vote in the


    Lodge minutes. After H.G.W. had been extended to the W.M., the Lodge was closed at 10.15 p.m. At the


    invitation of the W.M., the visitors and brethren adjourned to the Town Hall, where supper was in readiness,


    to which ample justice was done. The usual toasts were duly honoured, the speech of the W.M. being much


    appreciated; and with song, speeches, and story a long and enjoyable night was ended by the Tyler's toast in


    the small hours of the morning.—[Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————


    Maniapoto, No. 206.—The first annual meeting for the installation of the W.M. and the investiture of


    officers was held on 30th October, and, in the absence of G.L. officers, the ceremony was performed by W.


    Bro. S. A. Cook, P.M. (Lodge Alexandra, No. 1188, E.C.). There was a large assemblage of brethren, Lodge


    Plunket being very strongly represented. The W.M.-elect, W. Bro. H. Benner, was duly presented and


    obligated and installed as W.M. for the ensiling year. Proclamations were made in due form, and the W.Ts.


    were presented by W. Bros. Cameron (Lodge Otago, No. 7), Browning (Lodge, Waipa, No. 119), and Ellison


    (Lodge Plunket, No. 163). Bro. J. Willis acted as D. of C., and W. Bros. Wallace and Black as presenting


    officers. W. Bro. Congalton invested the Wardens, the address being given by W. Bro. Cook. The W.M


    invested the rest of his officers, and. the address to the brethren was given by W. Bro. Wallace. The


    following officers were invested : S.W., Bro. Miller ; J.W., Bro. J. Heerdegen; Chaplain, Bro. J. A. Ormsby;


    Sec., Bro. Hosking; Treas., Bro Vicary ; S.D., Bro. Lord ; J.D., Bro. Stuart ; D. of C., Bro. J. Willis ; I.G.,


    Bro. Bell; S.S., Bro. J. Ormsby ; J.S., Bro. Kerr; Auditors, Bros. Forster and Green; Tyler, Bro. Rhodes. The


    collection in aid of the W. and O. and A.M. Fund amounted to £15 15s., and, considering the many calls now


    made upon the brethren in connection with other matters, the Lodge is certainly to be congratulated. The


    Lodge having been closed, the officers and visiting brethren were entertained in the Commercial Hotel,


    where the proceedings were distinctly of a high order. The Lodge generally is progressing splendidly, and


    the prospects for the future are decidedly bright. —[Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————————


    TARANAKI.




    Patea Kil., No. 18.—In spite of the inclement weather, there was a good attendance at the meeting on 10th


    October, when R.W. Bro. Sargeant, P.G.M., paid an official visit to the Lodge. He was accompanied by the


    W.M., P.Ms., and brethren of Lodge Hawera, in addition to which there were visitors from Lodge Eketahuna


    and Lodge Lord Kitchener (Cairo). Bro. Walker, of Lodge Shettlestone St. John (Scotland), was duly elected


    a member. The R.W.P.G.M. and G.L. officers were received with honours. The business was the initiation of


    one candidate. He was obligated by the W.M. ; the Ss. were communicated by Bro. Woods, S.W. ; the


    Charge in the N.E. was delivered by W. Bro. Holtham, P.M. ; the E. of P. was given by W. Bro. MacFarlane,


    P.M. ; the W.Ts. were presented by Bro. Paterson, J.W. ; and the Final Charge by W. Bro. Larcombe, P.M.


    Before retiring, R.W. Bro. Sargeant commented on the excellent manner in which the degree had been


    conferred. After the Lodge was closed, a pleasant time was spent in the refectory, where the toasts


    appropriate for the occasion were duly honoured. An item of extreme interest was a paper by Bro. E. F.


    Hemingway, entitled "Sentiment in Masonry," and the brethren, one and all, commented on the masterly and


    impressive manner in which the subject had been treated. Bro. Hemingway was accorded a hearty vote of


    thanks for his fine paper.—[Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————


    Hawera, No. 34.—The regular meeting was held at the Temple on 2nd October, when W. Bro. Alan


    Thompson, W.M., presided over a large attendance. One new member was initiated into Freemasonry by the


    W.M., who obligated the candidate and entrusted him with the Secrets, assisted by Bro. E. C. Hayton, S.W.,


    who did the investiture and explained the R. for Prep., while W. Bro. J. P. Keen delivered the Charge in the


    N.E., and Bro. Colin Brown, J.W., explained the W.Ts., and W. Bro. S. Till concluded a well worked degree


    with a capital rendering of the Final Charge. During the evening quite a number of brethren were presented


    with their G.L. certificates by the W.M. An expression of fraternal sympathy was extended to Bro. J. A.


    Duffill on account of his recent bereavement in the loss of his infant son, also to W. Bro. J. Asher, of New


    Plymouth, who had recently suffered the loss of his wife. These motions were carried by the members


    standing in silence. The Sec. reported that, out of seventeen members of the Lodge now under arms, our first


    casualty had just been announced in the sad intelligence of our Bro. William Dawson Murray, "reported


    missing, believed killed in action." A most interesting and much appreciated letter to the Lodge was read


    from W. Bro. Major W. G. Bishop from "somewhere in France." The usual hour of social intercourse was


    spent in the refectory. Since our last meeting the W.M, and a team of officers and brethren paid an official


    visit to Lodge Patea Kil., and also to Lodge St. John, Eltham, to both of which they were right royally


    received and spent a very pleasant evening.—[Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————————


    RUAPEHU.


    Kimbolton, No. 123.—The monthly meeting was held in the Lodgeroom on 1st November, and there was a


    strong muster of brethren. There was no degree work. W. Bro. W. H. McLean, of Hunterville, who had come


    over for the purpose, in redemption of a long-standing promise to do so, gave a very interesting and


    instructive address on "The Earlier History and Origin of Freemasonry," for which he was accorded a hearty


    vote of thanks. The event of the evening then took place, the R.W. Prov.G.M. of Ruapehu District (Bro. D.


    McFarlane) unveiling, with a few appropriate remarks, the Roll of Honour of brethren at the front and an in


    memoriam tablet to Bro. C. Watt, killed in action. One of the brethren, Bro. J. Watt, mentioned on the Roll


    of Honour, having been invalided home, was present, and he, with his brother (Bro. Geo. Watt) and Bro. K.


    McKenzie, sen. (father of another brother mentioned on the Roll), were invited by the R.W: Prov.G.M. to


    assist him with the unveiling. The evening was rounded off in the usual way by an hour's pleasant intercourse


    in the refectory, where the R.W. Prov. G.M.—also as usual—took the opportunity of pressing the claims of


    the G.L. Annuity Fund upon the attention of the brethren.—[Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————


    Ngaruhoe, No 205. The regular meeting was held in the new Masonic Hall, Ohakune, on 2nd October. The


    W.M., W. Bro. T. P. Firmin, presided over a good muster. The Prov. G.M. (R.W. Bro. D. McFarlane) and G.


    Supt. of W. (W. Bro. E. Mugridge) paid an official visit, and were received with the usual honours. The work


    was the initiation of two candidates, and was carried out by the W.M., who was assisted by W. Bro. Hughes


    (Charge after I.), Bros. M. Vance, J.W. (N.E. Charge), W. Mugridge, I.G. (R. for Prep.), and J. E. Hartland,


    Sec. (W.Ts.). R.W. Bro. McFarlane delivered the Final Charge in a manner that will undoubtedly be long


    remembered not only by the candidates, but also by the brethren. It is the custom in the Lodge to make up a


    collection in aid of the G.L. Annuity Fund at a suitable moment during the N.E. Charge. This was referred to


    by the R.W. Prov.G.M. in commendatory terms prior to retiring, and he also presented his P.M.'s certificate


    to W. Bro. G. Brownlee, I.P.M. W. Bro. E. Mugridge conferred a similar honour upon a brother by




    presenting his M.M.'s certificate. During the progress of the "Fourth" R.W. Bro. McFarlane congratulated the


    brethren upon having acquired a home of their own, and spoke in admiring terms of the fine appearance of


    the Lodgeroom. The outstanding feature is an extremely fine inlaid pavement, the work of Bro. N. Christie.


    It is formed of heart rimu and matai, the tassels being sheet brass, and is considered by competent judges


    unique. The Lodge is very fortunate in having a number of extra enthusiastic brethren who have undertaken


    the furnishing. Bro. Webber has already completed and presented a very handsome chair for the W.M. When


    the work in hand has been completed it will rank among the finest of country Lodgerooms. W. Bro. Ernest


    Mugridge, G. Supt. of W., has been called up in the last ballot, and proceeds to camp at an early date.—


    [Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————————


    WELLINGTON.


    Tararua, No. 67.—An emergency meeting was held in October to initiate a candidate. The W.M. and


    officers of Lodge Huia, No. 171, carried the ceremony through in very good style and attention to detail, a


    special feature being the pieces of detail placed on the pavement for instruction during the explanation of the


    T.B. The W.M., W. Bro. A. W. Gallichan, obligated and exhorted the candidate, and delivered the Final


    Charge ; W. Bro. W. Turner, I.P.M., the N.E. Charge; Bro. N. Stubbs, J.W., the Ex. of Prep. ; Bro. W.


    Oliver, I.G., the W.Ts. ; and Bro. J. Manning, S.W., the T.B. Later, in the refectory, expressions of pleasure


    on receiving a fraternal visit from Lodge Huia were given, and also on the cordiality received by the visitors


    in conjunction with a good programme of entertainment, which concluded the evening.—[Lodge


    Correspondent.]


    Another emergency meeting was held on 16th November for the purpose of raising two candidates, the


    degree work being performed by the W.M. and officers. W. Bro. A. Barrell occupied the J.W.'s chair, as Bro.


    Vaughan is just getting about after his serious operation; but he hopes to be at our installation. The work by


    the W.M. and officers went along very smoothly, and one and all exceeded themselves, and many


    expressions were passed on the splendid rendering. The W.M. gave the Ob., Exhort, and T.B. ; W. Bro. A.


    Barrell, the Ss. ; W. Bro. W. McKay, the W.Ts. ; W. Bro. J. H. Griffith, the Final Charge. He also presented


    the candidates with their V.S.Ls. This being the last meeting before installation, a particularly pleasant hour


    or so was spent in the refectory.—[Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————


    Hinemoa, No. 122.—The regular meeting was held on 8th November. Two Lewises were initiated, one


    being the son of the Sec. (W. Bro. Martin) and the other that of Bro. R. Latham. Through the courtesy of


    M.W. Bro. Rev. G. Knowles-Smith, the direction of the ceremony was entrusted to W. Bro. Martin, who


    occupied the chair; and, having at his disposal the efficient officers who at present occupy the various


    positions in the Lodge, he had little difficulty in conducting a successful and inspiring ceremony. The two


    sons were obligated by W. Bro. Martin, who also communicated the Signs and Secrets, assisted by W. Bro.


    George, I.P.M. W. Bro. Dement delivered the Charge after Investiture, while the Charge in the N.E. Corner


    was effectively rendered by the W.M. (Bro. Knowles-Smith). Bro. Latham, father of one candidate,


    explained the R. for Prep. The W.Ts. were presented by the D. of C., W. Bro. T. Robinson, assisted by the


    S.D. (Bro. Russell) and the I.G. (Bro. Jenkins). The Final Charge was delivered between the J.W (Bro.


    Jones), who took the first part, and the S.W. (Bro. Shannon), who took the latter portion. The T.B. Lecture


    was beautifully explained by the J.D. (Bro. P. Reid), W. Bro. Martin concluding the ceremony by a short


    address to the newly initiated sons and brethren. Altogether the meeting was a memorable one, for, after the


    Lodge was closed, an adjournment was made to the refectory, where M.W. Bro. H. J. Williams, P.G.M.,


    gave a thoughtful and interesting address upon a subject rarely, if ever, discussed, but of considerable


    importance to the Craft—namely, "Our Attitude towards Proposed Candidates." The M.W. Bro. placed


    before the brethren some suggestions that will cause the thinking members some study, and some of the


    remarks he made should stimulate indifferent members to a sense of their responsibility. It is expected that


    8th November, 1917, will long be remembered by those privileged to be present and participate.—[Lodge


    Correspondent.]


    ————


    Tutanekai, No. 156.—There was a large attendance of members and visitors at the regular meeting, held in


    the Masonic Hall on 1st November. The W.M. (Bro. Sexton) persided. Amongst the visitors were the W.Ms.


    of New Zealand Pacific, Canterbury Kil., Wellington, E.C., and representatives from a number of the city


    and suburban Lodges. The ceremonial business was the raising of one candidate. The W.M. (0b. and F.F.)


    was assisted by W. Bro. Alexander (Exhort.), W. Bro. Harrap (Apron Charge), W. Bro. Whitelaw (Signs),


    Bro. Read, J.W. (W.Ts.), W. Bro. Shand (T.H.), and Bro. C. Martin, J.W. (Final Charge). W. Bro.




    Merryfield, of Canterbury Kil., presented the candidate with the V.S.L. on which he was obligated. After


    H.G.W. from the visitors the Lodge closed at 10.15, when an adjournment was made to the refectory, where


    an exceedingly pleasant hour was spent.—[Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————


    Waiwhetu, No. 176.—The usual meeting was held on 14th November, when there was a fair attendance of


    brethren, but only a few visitors. The work set out was the passing of one brother, and, considering this was


    the first meeting after the installation, the new officers can well be congratulated on the excellent manner in


    which the work was carried out, and it goes to show that W. Bro. Teagle and his officers will worthily


    uphold the good name which Waiwhetu has always held. W. Bro. Teagle obligated and communicated the S.,


    T. and W. ; Bro. Harman. S.W., invested ; W. Bro. Leighton, I.P.M., gave the Charge after Investiture; Bro.


    Harman, the S.g. Charge; and Bro. Carver, J.W., the W.Ts. W. Bro. McLachlan, Chaplain, explained the


    T.B. One candidate was proposed, and one W. brother elected a joining brother on the ballot. Letters were


    read from brethren at the front, and were very interesting to those present, especially one from Bro. Sergt.-


    Major Lowry, who also forwarded a paper read by himself before a branch of the N.Z.E.F. Masonic


    Association at Codford Camp, which the Sec. read to the brethren in the refectory. It was a sterling paper and


    well received. The report and balance-sheet was passed, and different brethren were loud in their praise of


    the position the Lodge now occupies, special mention being made of the fact that there were no outstanding


    dues.—[Lodge Correspondent.]


    ————


    Otari, No. 190.—The regular meeting was held in the Lodge-room, Ngaio, on 13th November. There was a


    fair attendance of members and visitors, including the W.M., officers, and brethren of Lodge Leinster. The


    business was to pass an E.A. and to discuss the advisability of proceeding with the extended building scheme


    which, owing to the increased cost of building material and the difficulty of securing labour, has been


    deferred. A sub-committee was appointed to consider different plans and to report at a later meeting. The


    Lodge closed at 9.55 p.m., after which a pleasant half-hour was spent in the refectory.—[Lodge


    Correspondent.]


    ————


    Whetu Kairangi, No. 201.—The regular meeting was held at the Masonic Hall, Seatoun, on 10th


    November, W. Bro. Fox, W.M., presiding over a fair attendance of members and visitors, Aorangi Lodge,


    No. 2300, E.C., and Wellington Lodge, No. 1521, being officially represented. After the preliminary


    business a motion of sympathy with W. Bro. Fox, W.M., in his recent sad bereavement was passed in


    silence. The ceremonial business — the raising of a brother on behalf of Maori Lodge, No. 105—was


    proceeded with. The Ob. and Exhort. was given by W. Bro. Fox, W.M. ; S., T., and Charge, V.W. Bro.


    Porritt ; Investiture, Bro. Morris, S.W., and W. Bro. Boon ; T.H., W. Bro. Aston; Extended Signs, W. Bro.


    Graham (Maori Lodge, No. 105); W.Ts., W. Bro. Preston ; Final Charge, W. Bro. Fox, W.M. At the


    conclusion of the business an enjoyable hour was spent in the refectory, V.W. Bro. Porritt. D.M.,


    presiding.—[Lodge Correspondent.]


    ——————————


    ROYAL ARCH CHAPTERS.


    Otago, No. 7, and Maori. No. 28.—A record attendance of companions (close on seventy) greeted the


    G.Supt. of Otago (R.E. Comp. E. Lane) on the occasion of the installation of Principals and the investiture of


    officers of these two Chapters, whose combined annual convocation was held in the Chapter-room of the


    Oceanic Hall, St. Kilda, Dunedin, on 3rd November. Previous to the work being commenced, congratulatory


    messages were read from R.E. Comp. R. G. V. Parker (P.G. Supt. of Otago) and E. Comp. J. Ross (the latter


    now on his way to France as, an officer of the Medical Corps). The evening's arrangements were entrusted to


    V.E. Comp. J. J. H. Dumsday, and, notwithstanding the fact that he was still suffering from the results of a


    recent motor accident, and that this was his first appearance as G.D. of C., his subsequent work proved that


    he thoroughly appreciated the trust that had been imposed on him. For the position of 1st Prins., E. Comp. A.


    Stoneham (Otago) and V.E. Comp. R. Hawcridge (Maori) were installed, the office of 2nd Prin. being


    allotted to E. Comps. A. McKenzie (Otago) and C. F. J. Bell (Maori), and that of 3rd Prin. to E. Comps. J.


    Pringle (Otago) and A. Watson (Maori). The presence of M.E. Comps. T. Ross and A. Clothier, P.G.Zs.,


    suggested their addressing the Principals and officers respectively, and we were pleased to welcome V.E.


    Comp. W. Miller (Oamaru), who later on addressed the companions. The presentation of P.Zs.' jewels to


    V.E. Comps. G. T. Lumsden and T. W. O'Driscoll by V.E. Comp. H. W. S. Hellyer, 1st G. Soj., and V.E.


    Comp. R. Hawcridge respectively, was made the occasion for voicing the different Chapters' high


    appreciation of the good work done by these outgoing officers during their terms of office. Modestly both




    recipients replied, but leaving no doubt in the minds of those present that their services would at all times be


    at the disposal of their respective Chapters. To mark its appreciation, Otago Chapter nominated V.E. Comp.


    G. W. S. Hellyer as G.S.N., V.E. Comp. J. J. H. Dumsday as G.D. of C., and V.E. Comp. G. T. Lumsden as


    assist.-G.Sd.B. H.G.W. having been received from visiting companions, including Comp. Geo. Ross


    (Kensington Chapter, No. 29, Sydney), at 10.30 p.m. an adjournment was made to the supper room. In


    replying to the toast of his health, R.E. Comp. E. Lane threw out a suggestion that the date of the installation


    of these two Chapters should now be altered. Installations, he said, had the effect of increasing the interest in


    any Chapter or Lodge, but, as at present arranged, this advantage was denied them, as both Chapters


    immediately went into recess, not meeting again till January (Maori) and February (Otago) of next year.


    Your correspondent would also like to suggest that a portion of the ceremony should be taken in the


    afternoon. Seeing that the Chapters do not close till 10.30, companions from Green Island, Mornington, or


    Ravensbourne are denied any chance of meeting each other socially.—[Chapter Correspondent.]


    ————


    Victory, No. 12.—The installation and twenty-fifth anniversary was celebrated at Nelson on 25th October.


    M.E. Comp. T. Porritt conducted the installation of E. Comp. A. W. Oxley as 1st Prin. Congratulations on


    attaining the twenty-fifth year of its existence were received from M.E. Comp. M. J. Harris, G.Z. ; H. J.


    Williams. G.S.E. R.E. Comps. J. Moncrieff, G.H. : and T. Robson, G.J. ; and Waterloo, Victoria, Trafalgar,


    and Albert Edward Chapters. There were only two outside visitors, but the marvellous progress of the


    Chapter during the past year and the enthusiasm of the companions made it an easy matter to get a good


    attendance at meetings. The installation provided the largest attendance ever yet obtained by the Chapter.


    The following is a full list of the officers installed and invested : 1st Prin., E. Comp. A. W. Oxley ; 2nd Prin.,


    V.E. Comp. S. F. Bolton; 3rd Prin., E. Comp. L. Reynolds; S.E., V.E. Comp. R. W. Stiles ; S.N., V.E. Comp.


    A. E. Cresswell ; Treas., V.E. Comp. B. FL Moller ; Supt. of W., V.E. Comp. C. B. Harton; 1st Soj., E.


    Comp. C. M. Whelan; 2nd Soj., E. Comp. A. G. Shrimpton ; 3rd So]., R. Comp. H. H. Edwards ; Organist,


    E. Comp. G. A. Edmonds; 1st S., E. Comp. F. A. Thompson ; 2nd S., E. Comp. H. P. Stephenson ; Janitor, E.


    Comp. C. W. Moore. The following assisted in the ceremony : V.E. Comps. Wm. Moyes, B. H. Moller, S. F.


    Bolton, J. L. Ching, and C. H. Mills (of Marlborough Chapter). It has been decided to increase the annual


    subscription to fifteen shillings. A large quantity of regalia has been purchased during the year, and it, is


    hoped during the coming year to further add to the equipments. Reference was made to the progress of last


    year. Seventeen candidates were put through the various degrees, whilst there were two joinings, and two


    applications for companionship were successfully balloted for the same evening. It is not many years ago


    that the Chapter had a difficulty in getting sufficient officers to carry on the Chapter, and now it is hard to


    find offices for those who desire active work. The newly installed Principal, if his health continues good, will


    certainly keep up the standard of former Principals. The question of a commemoration banner is under


    consideration. The officers in charge of the Excellent and Mark Degrees announced their respective officers


    as follows : Mark Lodge officers—W.M.M., Bro. W.. Widdowson ; S.W., Bro. W. H. Short ; J.W., Bro. L.


    Reynolds ; M.O., Bro. C. M. Whelan ; S.O., Bro. A. G. Shrimpton ; J.O., Bro. H. H. Edwards; S.D., Bro. F.


    A. Thompson; J.D., Bro. L. M. Estcourt; Chaplain, Bro. S. F. Bolton; Organist, Bro. G. A. Edmonds; I.G.,


    Bro. W. C. Hyde. Excellent Lodge officers — W.E.M., Bro. J. L. Ching; S.W., Bro. E. J. Winter ; J.W., Bro.


    T. D. Milne ; Conductor, Bro. G. A. Edmonds ; Capt. 1st Veil, Bro. H. P. Stephenson ; Capt. 2nd Veil, Bro.


    H. H. Edwards ; Capt. 3rd Veil, Bro. W. C. Hyde ; I.G., Bro. T. Houlker ; Chaplain, Bro. B. H. Moller. At


    the festive board V.E. Comp. W. Moyes summarised the work of the Chapter up to its twenty-fifth birthday,


    featuring its struggles for existence and its present excellent condition. It was noted that many of the


    founders had gone to rest. During the evening E. Comp. C. M. Whelan presented a Mark jewel to V.E.


    Comp. Oxley as a token of personal esteem.—[Chapter Correspondent.]


    ————


    Waikato, No. 22.—The regular convocation was held in the Chapter-room, Hamilton East, on 7th


    November, the business being the acknowledgment of four brethren. Eighteen companions, including one


    visitor, signed the attendance book. E. Comp. S. B. Sims conducted the ceremony, assisted by V.E. Comp. J.


    E. Williams, V.E. Comp. Speight, and E. Comp. English. Two brethren were balloted for initiation, one for


    affiliation, and two new members proposed. Our 1st Prin., V.E. Comp. Gummer, who is very enthusiastic


    and comes all the way from Morrinsville, is in for a busy year, working two Marks (27th November) and


    seven Excellents (11th December). After the Lodge had been closed a pleasant time was spent at the festive


    board.—[Chapter Correspondent.]









    ————————


    A. AND A. RITE.


    Wellington, No. 91.—The annual meeting


    was held in the Chapter-room, Boulcott


    Street, on Friday, 2nd October, Ill. Bro.


    Surgeon-General R. S. F. Henderson, 31


    deg., M.W.S., presiding. The attendance was


    a record one, and the visitors included Ill.


    Bro. Dilworth Fox, 31 deg., who came from


    Christchurch especially to attend the


    meeting. The Chapter-room, with its


    excellent appointments, presented a very


    brilliant appearance. A quantity of routine


    business having been disposed of, four


    diplomas were presented by Ill. Bro. Fox,


    and E. and P. Bro. J. Rod (Marshall) then


    presented E. and P. Bro. A. Veitch for


    installation as M.W.S., the ceremony being


    performed by Ill. Bro. Henderson, the


    retiring M.W.S. The newly installed M.W.S.


    then appointed the following officers : High


    Prelate, E. and P. Bro. Rev. A. M. Johnson ;


    S. General, E. and P. Bro. R. Foss ; J.


    General, E. and P. Bro. J. Rod ; Marshall, E.


    and P. Bro. G. Allport; Raphael, E. and P.


    Bro. H. B. Bridge ; Herald, E. and P. Bro. H.


    H. Seaton ; Capt. of the Guard, E. and P.


    Bro. J. J. Esson; Recorder, E. and P. Bro. G.


    E. Smith ; Treas., E. and P. Bro. G. Russell;


    D. of C., Ill, Bro. Rev. T. Porritt. Before the


    Chapter closed, Ill. Bro. H. J. Williams, in a


    very happy speech, asked the I.P.M.W.S.'s


    acceptance of a very handsome jewel,


    commemorative of the office he had retired


    from and of the high rank he held in the Rite.


    Ill. Bro. Henderson fittingly replied. At the


    close of the meeting refreshments were


    served in the refectory, and two hours were


    happily and instructively spent. The Masonic


    quartette party rendered several items, and


    were accorded a special toast.—[Chapter


    Correspondent.