COURTESY.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

HE newly-made Freemason, after a perusal of the

ritual of our Masonic ceremonies, may possibly be

pardoned for thinking that the perfection demanded of a

member of the Craft is above his ability to achieve. He

may, however, perhaps feel that one of the lesser Masonic

virtues is within the compass of his attainment, and a

consideration of one of such lesser virtues may be of

value not only to the young Mason, but also to other

members of the fraternity.

Among such lesser virtues is that of "courtesy," which is

especially enjoined on the Master at his installation. Of

recent years this virtue seems to have fallen into some

disrepute. Our realistic materialists can see little, if any,

virtue in courtesy of speech and manners. If they were

judged by their conduct alone, it would indeed seem that

they regard courtesy as a vice. Courtesy has a low place in

the scale of values of the economic materialist, if in truth

it has any place at all.

Courtesy is however the outward expression of an inward

grace. An American writer speaking of a gracious lady

said, "She had what the French term 'courtesy of spirit,' as

well as courtesy of form."

If there is no courtesy of spirit, mere courtesy in words

loses some of its value. The discourteous and uncivil

speech, so much in evidence in present day controversy is

the outward expression of a discourteous spirit.

There is however an interaction between courtesy of

speech and manners, and courtesy of spirit. The man who

is discourteous in spirit will usually be discourteous in

manners, and he who is discourteous in speech and man-

ners, will tend to become discourteous in spirit. It is

therefore of importance to a Freemason who desires to be

courteous in spirit that he should be courteous in speech

and manners. There is a mistaken view current among a

number of our people, that to display courtesy is to show

weakness. This is the view of the bully, whether Fascist or

Communist. The truth is that the strong man adds an

ornament to his strength by the grace of courtesy.

We are told in our Masonic ritual that one of our grand

designs is to communicate happiness. Man, it has been

said, is a social animal, and the virtue of courtesy adds

much to the happiness of men in their social relationships.

Consider the matter with respect to the smooth and

pleasant working of a Lodge. The Freemason who in his

Lodge, or in the refectory, is consistently inconsiderate, or

merely thoughtless in his speech and manners, is very

often the cause of a great deal of friction among his

brethren, even although apart from this failing he may be

an upright and worthy Mason. It would do much to im-

prove the harmony of our Lodges if each brother were

carefully to watch his words, and deliberately so frame his

speech that he gives no offence by the form of his address

to any one of his brethren.

It does not follow from this that there will not be

differences of opinion amongst the brethren. Such

differences are inevitable, but they need not lead to

animosity or bitterness of spirit, if each brother expresses

his opinion with moderation and courtesy.

It has been suggested by some that courtesy in speech is

not really a virtue at all, and that it is often merely a

hypocritical concealment of a man's real feelings. The

downright brother who insists on calling a spade a spade,

will refuse to smooth over the rough edge of his thoughts

by pleasant speech. Such a man may be a very worthy

Mason, but he is often times a somewhat difficult brother

to get along with happily. It is a detraction from the cha-

racter of a Mason if he hides "a heart of gold" by a rough

and discourteous manner. The "rough diamond" may be a

jewel of great worth, but its true beauty is revealed only

when it is cut and polished. Even if one must say

unpleasant things, and such at times is clearly one's duty,

it is surely best to express disapproval in such a form of

words as to cause the least possible friction and the least

possible hurt to the pride or prejudice of another man.

The social value of courtesy extends however beyond the

bounds of our Masonic Lodges. It is perhaps in our homes

that the lack of courtesy is most apparent.

It is difficult sometimes for a father when he reflects on

what he thinks are the faults of his growing children, to

remember that they are separate personalities and that he

should address them with at least the same courtesy as he

would address a stranger. It is difficult for a son impatient

of the old-fashioned views of his parents to present to

them the latest views of an extremist party, with

moderation and courtesy. It is difficult for a mother, tired

and worried by her domestic troubles, to speak to 1

anyone of her family without some degree of irritation. It

is no doubt a counsel of perfection, but surely it is true, 1

that as our home Life constitutes such a large part of our

life, it would be wise for all of us to reflect on the value of

courtesy in our home relationships.

It is scarcely necessary to emphasise the value of courtesy

in the economic life of the community. The differences

between Labour and Capital are made much more bitter

by the violent and discourteous manner in which the

opposing sides sometimes state their views. The re-

lationships between employer and employee would be

much happier if both sides realised the value of courtesy.

In the international sphere courtesy is also a matter of

considerable importance.

War is a scourge which a frightened twentieth century

dreads, but does not know how to avoid. Differences of

opinion among nations seems inevitable. If, however,

such differences were brought into the open and discussed

T

with moderation and courtesy, there would be more

likelihood of peace being preserved, than if they are

discussed in the rude and discourteous manner which is at

present prevalent.

We all look forward to a time in international

relationships when there will be peace among men.

An essential part of such peace will be a gracious courtesy

in manner and speech. Courtesy is not the greatest of our

Masonic virtues, but surely we can all agree with Hilaire

Belloc, who wrote:—

"Of Courtesy it is much less

Than Courage of Heart or Holiness

Yet in my walks it seems to me

That the Grace of God is in Courtesy."

————————

Owing to an oversight in the printing office, the Index for

Vol. LI (1945/1946 series), which should have been

inserted in the June issue, was omitted. It appears in this

issue. The omission is regretted.

————————

ABIDING LANDMARKS IN A CHANGING

WORLD.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

ANZAC ADDRESS TO UNITED FORCES LODGE,

No. 245.

(By Bro. L. R. R. Denny, M.A., F.R.Hist.S., P.W. Lodge

Avon, 185.)

————

Wor. Master and Brethren,—

May I first of all say how highly I esteem the privilege of

speaking to you on this very special night of

commemoration and dedication. May I say also that this

privilege like all others carries a corresponding

responsibility not lightly to be undertaken nor easily

discharged. It is in fact difficult for two reasons: partly

from the wide range of topics which might be considered

relevant to the occasion, and partly because uncertainties

in the international field make a writer pause to consider

whether what he writes one day will be appropriate the

next. However„ my task is lightened to this extent. I must

preserve inviolate the ancient landmarks, and that does

impose some clear limitations; and I am heartened by the

knowledge that here within these hallowed walls a man

may speak freely and frankly what it is in his mind to say.

Incidentally I am reminded also of the ancient words of

Hippocrates, part of which are the motto of The Masters'

and Past Masters' Lodge: "The Lyf so short; the craft so

long to lerne; the occasion instant; decision difficult;

experiment perilous." Hence I have chosen to speak on

Abiding Landmarks in a changing World, in the hope that

here I may find something inspirational and worth while.

May I quote first of all from "Mind at the End of Its

Tether," by H. G. Wells (published Nov. 5, 1945):—

THE END OF THE AGE.

"Within a period to be estimated in weeks and months

rather than by aeons, there has been a fundamental change

in the conditions under which life, not simply human life,

but all self-conscious existence, has been going on since

its beginning.

". . . . this world is at the end of its tether. The end of

everything we call life is close at hand and cannot be

evaded. . . .

"Spread out and examine the pattern of events, and you

will find yourself face to face with a new scheme of

being, hitherto unimaginable by the human mind. . . .

"The writer is convinced that there is no way out of or

round or through the impasse. It is the end. . . .

"The more the writer scrutinised the realities round us, the

more difficult it became to sketgh out any Pattern of

Things to Come."

And from:—

The Archbishop of York (November, 1945, letter to

diocese)):

"The Biblical declaration that the end of the world will

come suddenly is driven home to us with fresh meaning.

The writing on the wall of threatening doom and

destruction can now be read by all thoughtful men.

"This interval gives mankind what may prove to be its last

chance."

We cannot escape the conviction that mankind is passing

through one of the great crises of history; a crisis which

opened in 1914 and for which there is as yet no end in

sight. Perusal of our daily press gives grim emphasis to

this thought. It shows conflict in all its phases—

economic, political, social and moral.

If millions have sufficient food, millions more have in-

sufficient, and millions face starvation. Despite the

prediction at the Hot Springs Food Conference in 1943

that 1945-6 would see a food shortage, a magnificent

grain surplus then existing in the U.S.A. has been

dissipated largely through its being fed to hogs. Surely

there is a new version of the parable of the prodigal son

being enacted here.

What, in the face of all this, can we say of hope and faith?

RECAPTURE PERSPECTIVE.

I would say that we must first recapture our sense of

perspective. Do you remember the first question put to

each new candidate as he comes within our portals? And

the answer?

Reflect, then, that perspective involves our basic spiritual

and moral beliefs—the basic relationship between God

and man, between creature and Creator.

It is not my job or yours to displace T.G.A.O.T.U. from

the ruling seat in favour of science or material things. It is

our job to know Him.

I cannot emphasise too strongly that this world is a moral

world, and the moral values are set into its very

foundations. Freemasons rightly are taught through and

through the ritual to recognise moral values.

Brethren, Moral laws do not break. Human systems that

are immoral do. Remember this when you read, as you

must, many of you have read, the slashing indictment of

John Langdon-Davies quoted from the "Daily Mail."

whose science editor he is.

Langdon-Davies writes:—

"CAUSES OF FOOD CRISIS"

"NATURE HAS HIT BACK"

"Nature has hit back at the human race, which concen-

trated 1,000,000 trained men on producing the atom bomb

and let the food problem get out of hand," says the

science editor of the "Daily Mail," John Langdon-Davies.

"The war is not the main cause of the food problem. The

crisis would have come sooner or later even if we had

kept the so-called peace.

"The blunt fact is that the human race is living on its

capital. It took the earth millions of years to accumulate

coal, oil, and soil fertility, and at the present rate they will

last at most another 100 years. Instead of investing these

riches we gamble them against the greatest uncertainties

of all—climate and weather.

"Four hundred million tons of soil are washed yearly into

the Gulf of Mexico by the Mississippi. Three billion tons

of American soil are destroyed by wind and water erosion

every year. A vast proportion of Britain's soil fertility

ends in sewage. Instead of being returned to the field it is

poured down to the rivers and the sea, delighting a few

shoals of mackerel. Then chemical fertilisers are imported

to keep the soil going.

"In the fat seven years we starve the farmer by making

their toil unprofitable. We burn coffee for fuel, feed wheat

to animals, plough in cotton crops, dump oranges into the

sea, use herrings for manure, kill pigs and cattle, and let

ploughland tumble down to grass. When the lean years

come we scrape through by draining the land of what is

left of its stored fertility and put nothing back

"Thus major stupidity brings a major calamity. The

remedy is scientifically to organise production of food,

light, heat and power, and prevent the world from living

on its capital and to give scientific production of synthetic

foods as high a priority as was given to penicillin. There

are dozens of ingenious processes known to chemists

which would help us now that we are facing starvation,

but nothing has come of them because of vested

interests."

Landon-Davies has taken material issues. I put it to you,

brethren, that we have no less squandered our spiritual

assets. We risk these assets by investment and thereby

increase them. We need desperately to increase the

spiritual capital of our community. Canterbury in

particular commenced with great advantages in the stamp

and moral work of our pioneers. Is it unfair to say that we

have, very largely, been content to live on spiritual

unearned inclement?

Hear what Dr. E. W. Barnes, Bishop of Birmingham,

writes, under the caption: "New Era Splendid in

Promise—or End of Civilisation.":

During the war the sense of common danger, of common

need, drew us as a people nearer together. But the war has

done immense harm, moral and material. The first World

War left us (the British people) impoverished but solvent;

we are now a debtor nation. Even more grave is the social

decay which continually forces itself on our attention.

The disappearance of the practice of religion is wide-

spread, and it is a serious matter because it is a sign that

the spirit of religion is absent from large numbers of our

people. Our duty to God and neighbour has for many

ceased to be a binding force.

All thoughtful men and women feel anxious.

Let me restate my first point then:

"This world is founded on inviolable moral laws and

human systems which infringe them must inevitably be

destroyed."

RETAIN INTEGRITY.

My second point is a corollary of the first: Retain

Integrity.

By integrity, I mean downright honesty, the avoidance of

wishful thinking and rationalisation.

God is not divisible; there is not a God of the Old

Testament a God of vengeance for our enemies, and a

God of the New Testament a God of love for ourselves.

Integrity demands that we shall prepare for a better world

by starting with ourselves; by really putting into action

those magnificent precepts which we hear so often in the

ancient charges, and so seldom really listen to!

We all want a better world. We cannot hope to achieve it

if we lose sight of this: that without the Fatherhood of

God there can be no Brotherhood of Man.

Preparation of ourselves involves knowing and under-

standing each other. It is a commonplace, brought home

to us by the two Lancastrian flights recently, that no part

of the world is more than 60 flying hours from any other

part.

But rapid communications in themselves are not enough

to dispel the clouds of ignorance. And ignorance breeds

misunderstanding and fear.

How many of us in this Temple this evening are really

knowledgeable about conditions of We among many of

our North Island Maoris? How little we know in general

of the real lives and thoughts of peoples in other parts of

the world; only those who have been abroad can know.

I want to stress this particularly. Out of this very

ignorance can come absurd mistakes and tragic misunder-

standing. Not infrequently it can lead to serious wars. We

must do all in our power to break down these barriers of

ignorance. We cannot function effectively as citizens in

an international world until we cease thinking of people

as types and begin to think of them as real people.

It was my good fortune some years ago to work in

conference near Geneva with many graduate students

from Pacific countries studying in Europe. They have

never ceased to remain in my memory as my personal

friends. When I think of the Netherland Indies I think of

Raden Djokomarsaid; of Indo-China, the brilliant little

figure of Andre Marie Toakim-Hai, of China, Jen Han, of

Argentine, Garua Paladine, and so on through the sixty or

seventy students whom I met and worked with there. We

want all the contacts and opportunities of working

together we can get. We think of the world as an

economic unity; we desperately need to back the United

Nations as a means of resolving the enigma of '70

national states all trying to retain some sovereign

independence.

FOR ALL PEOPLES.

There may be many diplomats who do not know it; there

may be many political leaders who are afraid to admit it;

there may be people who do not understand it but the

extreme principle of absolute nationalistic sovereignty is

of the Middle Ages and it is dead. It died with the

airplane, the radio, the rocket, and the robomb.

In its place we must develop the new principle of the

rights, duties and responsibilities of each nation to the

other nations and of each man and each woman to the

other people of the world.

No nation has any right in the modern world to do as it

pleases without regard to the effects of its actions upon

the peoples of other nations. True sovereignty rests in the

people, and the people know that for their own future

welfare they must exercise a portion of that sovereignty

on a world level in place of the nationalistic level. Just as

each free man must limit his liberty of action so that he

does not injure his neighbour, so each nation must limit

its actions so that it does not injure its neighbour. . . .

Any attempt to profit by one nation at the expense of

other peoples will fail. If it meets with temporary success

it will soon be lost in either whirlpool of depression or the

cauldron of war. . . .

The world must advance together and there is room in the

world for all the peoples who live in it.

There will be selfishness and greed and corruption and

narrowness and intolerance in the world tomorrow and

tomorrow's tomorrow. But pray God we may have the

courage and the wisdom and the vision to raise a definite

standard that will appeal to the best that is in man, and

then strive mightily toward that goal.

Harold E. Stassen,

U.S. Delegate to the United Nations Conference at

San Francisco. From an address at the University of

Minnesota, March 7, 1945.

So, brethren, through it all our own task is clear. It is

surely to improve our own human relations within our

sphere—to make that daily advancement in Masonic

knowledge and action which will help us and those

around us to approximate more nearly to the unbending

specifications of the Perfect Ashlar.

You cannot and do not practice the F.P.O.F. towards a

type, but towards a brother whom you love and cherish.

EXPERIENCE REALITY.

And my third and final point is experience reality.

It is hard for some of us to realise that "the things which

are seen are temporal and the things which are unseen are

eternal."

We have just emerged from the second of two desperate

wars to save Christian decency in human relations. And

yet we must ask, "Is it really saved?"

It will not be saved, brethren, unless you and I and

thousands more like us can see the finger of God working

in the pages of history. Were the Angels of Mons real?

Did God move on the face of the waters at Dunkirk? Was

not Lease-Lend under God's guidance a turning-point in

the War? Was not Pearl Harbour itself a disaster fraught

with tremendous significance for the ultimate outcome of

the war?

From one aspect the last war may be likened to a trial of

strength between Pittsburgh and the Ruhr. But in its

deeper aspects it was surely a struggle between great

forces of evil and great moral qualities displayed magnifi-

cently by the British peoples for good.

We lose the significance and fail to read the writing on

the wall if we forget that this phase, the battle of good

against evil, is a continuing one, challenging us all to play

our part.

Power, whether political, economic or military, is a great

temptation to selfishness, and the love of power and its

exercise is actually a very common and a very insidious

form of selfishness. It nearly always disguises itself as a

desire to do good, and so manages to claim moral credit

for a profoundly immoral frame of mind. In its political

forms, this love of power is particularly dangerous be

cause it can appeal to people who as individuals have very

little power to accomplish or to enforce their will The

insignificant citizen of a great nation can compensate for

his personal unimportance by his sense of dignity as a

participator in the power which his country can exercise

in relation to its neighbours. Hitler showed uncanny skill

in the exploiting of this fact during his rise to power. Nor

were the Japanese slow to follow his example.

In the ideal State, no doubt, no one will impose his will

on anyone else, but all will live in peace, love and

harmony. That is our hope.

But we are not so foolish as to imagine that that State is

within the realms of immediate possibility.

We must recognise that as the Psalmist says, "the heart of

man is deceitful above all things, and desperately

wicked," and realise that history is full of evidence that

men will resort to almost any abomination in the hope of

gaining, or retaining, power.

Not all men, of course, or our state would indeed be as

desperate as H. G. Wells conceives it to be.

And now our need is to determine the course to be

pursued by those who recognise as facts the reality, the

necessity, and the insidious character of power.

Our task is to see that power is subject to law, and in its

ultimate form of physical force is used only for the en-

forcement and maintenance of law. And equally we must

see that law is armed with force to check the lawless use

of force.

There is still the warning of Lord Acton to be

remembered: "All power corrupts and absolute power

corrupts absolutely." Is there any escape from this

dilemma? Only one. It is to ensure that the law to

which power must be subject is not any government,

national or international, but that it is the Righteousness

of God.

Let me conclude by quoting a magnificent prayer:

PRAYER FOR THE UNITED NATIONS.

God of the free, we pledge our hearts and lives today to

the cause of all free mankind. Grant us victory over the

tyrants who would enslave all free men and nations. Grant

us faith and understanding to cherish all those who fight

for freedom as if they were our brothers. Grant us brother-

hood in hope and union, not only for the space of this

bitter war, but for the days to come which shall and must

unite all the children of the earth.

Our earth is but a small star in the great universe. Yet of it

we can make, if we choose, a planet unvexed by war,

untroubled by hunger or fear, undivided by senseless dis-

tinctions of race, colour or theory. Grant us that courage

and foreseeing to begin this task today that our children

and our children's children may be proud of the name of

man.

The spirit of man has awakened and the soul of man has

gone forth. Grant us the wisdom and the vision to

comprehend the greatness of man's spirit, that suffers and

endures so hugely for a goal beyond his own brief span.

Grant us honour for our dead who died in the faith,

honour for our living who work and strive for the faith,

redemption, and security for all captive lands and peoples.

Grant us patience with the deluded and pity for the

betrayed. And grant us the skill and valour that shall

cleanse the world of oppression and the old base doctrine

that the strong must eat the weak because they are strong.

Yet most of all grant us brotherhood, not only for this day

but for all our years—a brotherhood not only of words but

of acts and deeds. We are all of us children of earth—

grant us that simple knowledge. If our brothers are

oppressed, then we are oppressed. If they hunger we

hunger. If their freedom is taken away our freedom is not

secure. Grant us a common faith that man shall know

bread and peace—that he shall know justice and

righteousness, freedom and security, and equal

opportunity and an equal chance to do his best, not only in

our lands but throughout the world. And in that faith let

us march towards the clean world our hands can make.

Amen.

—Written for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Flag

Day Speech, June 14, 1942, by Stephen Vincent Benet.

————————

NEW WORLD ORDER.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

ADDRESS BY THE M.W. GRAND MASTER OF THE

GRAND LODGE OF VICTORIA, HIS HONOUR

JUDGE C. H. BOOK, K.C., LL.B..

I would like to say something to you about the New

World Order we are hearing so much about, and the

contribution Freemasonry is going to make to it. Some

people have the idea that as soon as the war is over very

happy conditions are going to appear, sent like "Manna

from Heaven," that we are going to get all the possible

benefits man can possibly want. Of course, people are

naturally asking whether Freemasonry is going to do

anything about this New World Order. I believe that it is,

that it is going to make a very real and a very practical

contribution to this New World Order, but not perhaps in

the way some people think it will. I think we must never

lose sight of this fact—because it has been a rock upon

which Freemasonry has foundered in many European

countries—that Freemasonry is not in any sense a

political party, still less a party organised for social

agitation. Indeed, because Freemasonry stands apart from

parties, and feuds, and particular plans of social reform, it

has frequently been held up to ridicule by the unthinking,

the ambitious, the impatient. Look at the history of

modern times over the last thirty or forty years, and

divorce them if you can from the fact they have contained

two world wars; think of them rather as a period of social

and economic growth, - and what do we find? In that

period there have been schemes of every kind for the

reform and betterment of mankind, yet, notwithstanding

that fact, we see the world in the terrible state it is today.

Why have these schemes not succeeded? Some have

failed because the schemes themselves have been

imprudent and ill-considered. They have expected too

much of human nature and have not taken sufficiently

into account the hard, stubborn facts of daily life. But why

has not the wisest and noblest plan done more than half of

what its advocates have hoped and prayed and laboured

so heroically to bring about? The reason, I believe, is

simply this, that there have been not enough men fine

enough in soul, wide enough of sympathy, elevated

enough of spirit, and noble enough of nature to make the

dreams come true. What we need to make our dreams

come true—our social dreams, our national dreams, our

international dreams—is not so much more legislation,

and more regulation, as better men, men with more heroic

integrity, men who love the right, men who honour the

truth. Therefore, when Freemasonry, instead, as some

people would have it to do, of identifying itself with

schemes of economic and industrial reform and thereby

becoming almost necessarily involved in turmoil and

disputes, devotes all its virile energy and influence to

ennobling the minds of individual Freemasons, then I say

it is doing fundamental work on behalf of all high

enterprises. In this way, it will make its best contribution

to a better world order by ministering to the individual

man, drawing him into the circle of a grand friendship,

exalting his faith, refining his ideals, enlarging his

sympathies, and setting his feet upon the long white path.

In this way, Freemasonry, I believe, best serves society,

the State in which we live, and the world at large.

Why is it that we believe Freemasonry will make this real

contribution to the New World Order? Because of the

foundation upon which it rests and, of course, you know

the foundation upon which Freemasonry rests is the

sovereign and supreme reality of life. At the theshold of

our Lodges, every candidate, whether he be prince or

peasant, is called upon to confess his faith in God, the

Father Almighty, the Great Architect and Ruler of the

Universe, and this is not a mere form of words, but is

surely the highest, the most solemn affirmation that

human lips can make. To be indifferent to God is to be

indifferent to the greatest of all realities. Masonic thinkers

proclaim love of God to be the great fundamental truth of

our Masonic philosophy. They hold it to be the great

mission of Freemasonry, to preserve these truths, besides

which in the long result of thought and faith all else fails

and grows dim.

Upon the altar of Freemasonry in every Lodge there lies

the open Bible, the Volume of the Sacred Law, which

despite all the changes and so-called advances of the ages

remains the greatest book in the world, the moral manual

of civilisation. All through its pages, through the smoke

of Sinai, through the forest of the Psalms, through

proverbs and parables, along the dreamy ways of

prophecy, in gospels and epistles, is heard the everlasting

truth of one God, Who is love, and Who requires of men

that they love one another, do justly, love mercy, keep

themselves unspotted from evil, and walk humbly before

Him in Whose great hand they stand. To be in harmony

with His purposes, to be open to His suggestions, to be

conscious of real fellowship with the Almighty. This,

surely, is Freemasonry on its Godward side.

Then, when we turn to consider Freemasonry in relation

to man, we find that great word "friendship" seems to sum

it all up. How to be friends with all men, however they

may differ from us in creed, politics, conditions of life, as

they do in this great craft of ours, which is drawn from

men of all creeds, politics and conditions of life; to fill

every human relationship with the great spirit of friend-

ship; is there anything more or better than this, that the

wisest and best of men can hope to do? Friendship has

been described as the constructive genius of the universe,

and those men who have done most to promote the City

of God on earth have simply been the men who have done

most for their fellow men. Do you remember that very

significant poem written by Leigh Hunt. Let me remind

you of it:—

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase)

Awoke one night from a dream of peace,

And saw, within the moonlight in his room,

Making it rich and like a lily in bloom,

An angel, writing in a book of gold.

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,

And to the presence in the room he said,

"What writest thou?" The vision rais'd his head,

And with a look made all of sweet accord,

Answer'd, "The names of those who love the Lord."

"And mine is one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"

Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low,

But sheerly still, and said, "I pray thee, then,

Write me as one who loves his fellow men."

The Angel wrote and vanished. The next night

It came again, with a great wakening light,

And show'd the names whom love of God had bless'd,

And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

The best way we can show our love of God is by

expressing it in love of our fellow men, and I am

optimistic enough to think that notwithstanding the lack

of love which is shown by men to men today, this terrible

war with its cruelties and all its atrocities must be

regarded as nothing more than an incident in human

progress, and I think if we look below the surface (we

perhaps are too close to it today to appreciate what I am

saying now)—we will realise that men are much more

close to the ideal of loving their fellow men and needing

their fellow men than they were 100 years ago. We, as

Freemasons, must continue to be optimistic and believe

that it is towards a great universal friendship, long

foreseen by our Masonic faith, that this world of ours is

slowly and surely moving, amidst difficulties and delays,

amidst reactions and reconstructions. Nor will

Freemasonry ever rest content until all the threads of

human fellowship are woven together into one mystic

cord of friendship encircling the whole earth and holding

together all the peoples of the world in unity of spirit and

in the bonds of peace.

Such, my brethren, is the great ideal of Freemasonry, and

fidelity to all that is holy demands that we as individual

Freemasons give ourselves to it; trusting in the reality of

love and the sovereign worth of character; character, the

greatest thing that man can work out in the midst of the

years, the only thing that can outlast time and death.

Freemasonry is, above all, a system of morality. It is

something which teaches us to build our days and years

into a strength of character so strong that nothing, not

even death itself, can destroy.

We are building every day

In a good or evil way,

And the structure as it grows

Will our hidden self disclose

Till in every arch and line

All our inner faults outshine.

Do you ask what building this

That can show both pain and bliss,

That can be both dark and fair?

Why its name is Character.

Build it well whate'er you do,

Build it straight and strong and true,

Build it clean and high and broad,

Build it for the eye of God.

As we build, and as we show our brethren, first our

brethren within the Craft, and then our brethren outside

the Craft, what it means to be a Freemason, so we shall

make our best and most real contribution to the New

World Order, because only as we are incorporating these

wonderful tenets and principles of ours into actual life and

activity do they become real, tangible, and effective. It

has been said that God works for man through man, and

seldom, if at all, in any other way. He asks for our voices

to speak His truth, for our hands to do His work here

below, sweet voices and clean hands to make liberty and

love, truth and decent, honest living prevail over cruelty,

falsehood, injustice and hate. Life is a capacity for the

higher things. Shall we not as Freemasons see that we

make it a pursuit of the highest, so that through us,

through each and every one of us, the great spirit of this

great Craft may grow and extend until in God's good time

the day will come of which Tennyson spoke so many

years ago, the day of the New Order, when the war drums

throb no longer, and the battle flags are furled in the

parliament of man—the Federation of the World.

————————

MASONIC BRETHREN IN WELLINGTON

HOSPITALS

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

COMMITTEE REPORT, No. 24.

————

Public Hospital.—Ward 27: Bro. V. Johansen, Lodge

Otari; Bro. A. F. Park, N.Z. Pacific Lodge. Ward 28: Bro.

E. Harris, Lodge Karori.

Lewisham Hospital.—Bro. G. Fiebie, Lodge Otari.

Bowen Street Hospltal.—W. Bro. F. Taylor, Lodge

Hataitai.

The following brethren have made a good recovery and

have been discharged from hospital:—Bro. G. M. Van

Bearsal, Batavia; Bro. W. F. Haigh, Taia; Bro. R. Kent-

Johnston, Lodge Island Bay; Bro. J. Patterson, Scottish

Lodge; W. Bro. C. Andrew, Lodge Island Bay; W. Bro.

A. Greenbergh, Aroha Lodge.

We wish them well and hope that they will have renewed

health and strength for the future.

We regret to announce that since our last report W. Bro.

Reg. Dovey, Russell Lodge, and Bro. R. McJennett,

Hataitai Lodge, have passed away, and we sincerely

sympathise with the relatives of those brethren who have

been so sadly bereaved.

Bro. E. Harris had a major operation, but is doing well

and keeping bright.

W. Bra. Johansen and Bro. Fiebie have had successful

operations and are making good progress.

W. Bro. F. Taylor had a successful operation and has

made such good progress that he hopes to be home next

week.

On 20th June R.W. Bro. S. M. Stone, Prov.G.M., accom-

panied by two members of the Committee, paid a visit to

the Public Hospital and two of the private Hospitals, and

brought a word of comfort and good cheer to the Masonic

brethren who are at present patients in those institutions.

This was much appreciated by the inmates and also by the

Committee,

————————

REVIEW OF PROCEEDINGS OF FOREIGN

GRAND LODGES.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

(Published by the authority of the Grand Lodge of New

Zealand.)

ILLINOIS-1945.

978 Lodges, 205,397 members, a gain of 9177.

106th Annual Meeting held at Chicago, 9th October,

M.W. Bro. Stuart E. Pierson, G.M., presiding.

In the course of his address, the Grand Master said: "For

many years it has been the custom to award any brother

who has been a Mason for fifty years a suitable pin in

recognition of his long and faithful service to

Freemasonry. It has seemed to me that more than just that

should be done. Many times after a brother has served the

Craft for fifty years he finds himself unable to continue

payment of dues because of his inability at that age to

continue his usual business activities.

"Many feel that after a brother has become entitled to a

fifty-year emblem he should also be relieved from the

payment of dues both to his own Lodge and to the Grand

Lodge. This would be a far greater favour than receiving

an emblem in token of his long-continued membership.

"Why should we not do this? There are not so many who

acquire this distinction, and the loss in revenue would be

very slight, while the favour to the brother might be very

great. I trust that favourable legislation may be had at this

session to carry out this recommendation."

An amendment to the Constitution was subsequently

unanimously adopted, providing for the exemption from

all dues of brethren who have been Masons in good

standing for fifty years.

10,982 brethren were raised, 1796 admitted, 3599

reinstated, 2029 demitted, 1260 suspended, 6 expelled,

and 3747 died.

29377 of the members reside outside the State.

Bro. C. Wayland Brooks, R.W. Grand Orator and United

States Senator from Illinois, delivered the oration (his

second). The brethren of the Grand Lodge arose and paid

tribute to the speaker with hearty applause.

The average membership of the Illinois Masonic Orphans'

Home was 65. There were 107 men and 57 women in the

Illinois Masonic Home.

The Reviews by M.W. Bro. Elmer E. Beach, P.G.M., in-

clude half a page devoted to New Zealand, 1943.

Grand Master: M.W. Bro. Wm. Tinsley, Chicago.

Grand Secretary: M.W. Bro. Richard C. Davenport,

P.G.M., Harrisburgh.

Grand Representative of N.Z.: W. Bro. Oliver I. Under-

wood, Rock Island.

Grand Representative at N.Z.: R.W. Bro. A. C. Andrews,

P.G.W., Christchurch.

————

NEW JERSEY-1945.

278 Lodges, 74,138 members, a gain of 2333.

158th Annual Communication held at Trenton, 18th

April, M.W. Bro. John S. Caie, Grand Master, presiding.

In September, 1944, the Grand Master issued a circular to

all Lodges, which read in part:—"October 9 to 16 has

been designated as 'National Bible Week,' and I would

ask that each Lodge pay deference to it by having read to

the members some part of the Scriptures. The 35th

Chapter of Isaiah would be appropriate. Perhaps you have

a preference. The Holy Bible is the Great Light in

Masonry, and the Rule and Guide for our faith and

practice. We, as Masons, cannot over-emphasise the debt

we owe to the teachings of the Bible.

"The most widely-read English translation of the Bible is

the King James Version, first published in 1611. It was

produced by a group of British scholars and its accurate

prose and ageless style were natural outgrowths of an era

that gave to the world such literary giants as Shakespeare,

Johnson, Bacon and Milton, to name but a few. It is and

will continue to be the No. 1 best seller."

The inspiring address delivered by Brother Rickenbacker

at the Grand Lodge of New York last May left no doubt

about there being no atheists among castaways on

lifeboats in mid-ocean, and wasn't it Brother MacArthur

who said, "There are no atheists in fox holes."

3,393 brethren were raised, 284 affiliated, 788 restored,

1464 died, 293 demitted, and 375 were suspended N.P.D.

79 Fifty-Year Tokens were presented.

A long report was given of the work of the Masonic

Service Association Centres for service people.

In its report the Committee on Masonic Bureau said: " . . .

the Bureau has done far more during the past year in the

employment field than any of us would ever have

anticipated. The Federal Government exercises complete

control over the hiring of every one of us, and, in the

opinion of some, this control makes unnecessary the

continued operation of our Bureau as an employment

agency. We cannot agree. From experience, we have

learned that the United States Employment Service is a

most impersonal organisation, interested solely in

winning the war by having every idle machine back in

operation and every workman's bench occupied. We

desire to help that effort, and we do. But we expect more

than that from the Bureau. There are many members in

our Fraternity who are not equipped to fill war-time

vacancies, and some who have left government offices

without even the hope of a job. And yet these men must

earn. It might be well to cite several examples.

"An elderly brother came into one of our offices after he

had been told there was no position available for him by

the local U.S.E.S. His age was against him there. But our

manager had other ideas, and, because he did, our brother

is now congenially employed. His new income,

supplemented by a small pension, enables him to live

most comfortably."

The various branches of the Bureau received 596 applica-

tions during the year, and found permanent places for 437

at an average weekly income of $34.31 and 14 temporary

places.

The cost of operating the Bureau was $14,263.

There were 201 guests in the Masonic Home and 170

were rendered outside financial assistance to the total

extent of $36,857. The operating cost of the Home was

$94,940, plus $20,122 for the hospital.

In view of the then existing limitation of 50 at meetings

involving travelling, the Grand Lodge was called from

labour to refreshment to be reconvened at the call of the

M.W.G.M., of which each and every member would have

due and timely notice.

The Reviews include two and a-half pages devoted to

New Zealand, 1943, in which R.W. Bro. Charles S.

Elliott, Chairman of the Foreign Correspondence

Committee, gives an explanation of our procedure which

must throw a fairly clear light on the difference between

British and American Grand Lodge customs.

Grand Master: M.W. Bro. John S. Caie, North Bergen.

Grand Secretary: R.W. Bro. Isaac Cherry, Trenton.

Grand Representative of N.Z.: R.W. Bro. Lester S.

Kruser, Belmar.

Grand Representative at N.Z.: M.W. Bro. Charles J. Ron-

aldson, P.G.M., Christchurch.

————

PENNSYLVANIA-1945.

562 Lodges, 179,467 members, a gain of 6728.

A Foreword says: By direction of the Right Worshipful

Grand Master, Brother Scott S. Leiby, in deference to the

request of the War Mobilisation Director, the Quarterly

Communications of the Grand Lodge for March, June and

September, 1945, were not held; however, the glorious

victories of our Armed Forces and the unconditional

surrender of our enemies now make it possible to resume

the Communications of the Grand Lodge and to use our

best efforts in establishing a just and lasting peace.

Quarterly Communication held 5th December- and

Annual Communication 27th December at Philadelphia,

R.W. Bro. Scott S. Leiby, Grand Master, presiding at

both.

458 Lodges were represented at the Quarterly

Communication, but only 126 at the Annual.

The Reports of the Trustees of the innumerable

Pennsylvanian Funds and Charities occupy 134 pages of

the Proceedings.

On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, the

sum of $20,000, the estimated amount received in 1945

from petitioners entering the Armed Services for

Dispensations I for conferring of Degrees without

awaiting the usual time, was appropriated to the principal

of the War Relief Fund.

According to a balance sheet furnished by the Grand Sec-

retary, the total assets of the Grand Lodge were:—

General Fund, $10,144,934; Trust Funds, $20,816,493.

9973 were admitted, 1312 demitted, 608 suspended, 250

resigned and 3699 died.

In its report the Committee on Library said:—"Attention

is being given to the collection of Proceedings and other

literature relating to various organisations, which

although not recognised by the Grand Lodge have

nevertheless an indirect bearing on Freemasonry.

"To this end we have procured a number of volumes

relating to so-called Negro Masonry, the Order of the

Eastern Star and the Rosicrucian Fraternity.

"Your Committee is endeavouring to complete the set of

Proceedings of the various Lodges of Research

throughout the world. The publications of such Lodges

are full of items of Masonic interest which are not

otherwise available."

This Committee expended $12,050 during the year, and

Pennsylvania must indeed have a fine library.

There were 39 married couples, 132 men, 272 widows of

Master Masons, 12 mothers of M.Ms., 1 adult daughter of

a M.M., 25 boys, and 24 girls in the Masonic Homes. The

average age of the adult guests was 79 years.

The Employment Bureaux at Philadelphia and Pittsburgh

received 1420 applications and found 699 positions, their

expenditure being $5904.

Recognition was extended to the Grand Lodges of Rio de

Janeiro and Nacional de Colombia.

In his report at the Annual Communication the retiring

Grand Master said: "During the past two years the hydra-

headed Monster of Clandestine Masonry has again risen

in this Grand Jurisdiction, this time selecting for its

activities the City of Allentown and vicinity. This Grand

Lodge, together with the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite

for the Northern Jurisdiction instituted proper legal

proceedings in the Courts of Lehigh County, which

resulted in complete victory for us, and established more

firmly than ever our right as a Grand Lodge to diffuse

Masonic Light in this Jurisdiction. Brother Orrin E. Boyle

represented the Grand Lodge in these proceedings and

rendered an outstanding service. It seems unbelievable

that the peace and harmony of the Craft must be

periodically disturbed by those who have no semblance of

right to diffuse Masonic Light in this Grand Jurisdiction.

In vain do we hope that our established rights shall not be

invaded, but, as has been wisely said, "So long as there is

anything good in this world, there will be someone who

will try to imitate it."

In his inaugural Address the newly installed Grand Master

(who as mentioned in our previous reviews visited New

Zealand Lodges during his Naval service) said: "History

is repeating itself; in wartime men realise more than ever

the true value of some of the fundamental things in life,

and these include the brotherhood of man as exemplified

in fraternalism. And so in the wake of every war Free-

masonry has experienced periods of phenomenal growth

in membership.

"But our history has also taught us that such rapid growth

has not necessarily been sound growth. For with the

coming of financial adversity those who had flocked into

our Lodges in such great numbers were the first to give up

their membership. I need not again remind you of the

events of the 1930's.

"Now we have been wont to explain the defection of these

members by saying that Masonry had not been deeply

rooted in their lives. When pressed for a reason for that

fact, we have usually blamed it on their fundamental lack

of interest in, and appreciation for the deeper meaning and

significance of Freemasonry. But I feel that is only part of

the truth. We ourselves were in large measure to blame

for that lack of interest and appreciation. . . . Again we are

receiving large numbers of new members in our Lodges.

Let us then realise our responsibility toward them."

Grand Master: R.W. Bro. Richard A. Kern, Wynnewood.

Grand Secretary: R.W. Bro. Matthew Galt, Jun.,

Philadelphia.

————————

OBITUARY.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

V.W. BRO. REGINALD J. FOSS, P.G.D.C.

There recently passed to the Grand Lodge above an

eminent and well loved Brother in the person of V.W.

Bro. R. J. Foss, P.G.D.C. That he was well loved and

much respected was evinced by the large and representa-

tive gathering which attended the Lodge of Sorrow in the

Temple at Stanley Street, Levin, and also at the graveside.

The Prov. G.M., R.W. Bro. S. M. Stone, in well-chosen

words expressed the sorrow and offered the condolences

of Grand Lodge, whilst distinguished Masons from far

and near paid tribute to the late brother's interest and

untiring efforts to advance the cause of Freemasonry. In

the unavoidable absence of the W.M. in the South Island,

W. Bro. Foster, I.P.M., presided.

V.W. Bro. Foss was initiated in the senior Lodge on this

coast, Otaki, No. 72, in 1902, and took office in that

Lodge when quite a young Mason. Owing to his

transference to the Wairarapa, he was unable to reach the

Chair in his Mother Lodge. Lodge Masterton, however,

recognised his worth, for in 1909 he was installed as

W.M. of that Lodge. In 1928 he was made a Deacon of

G.L., and held the rank of P.G.D. until 1943, when G.L.

again honoured him with the rank of P.G.D.C. V.W. Bro.

Foss was among those instrumental in having the Royal

Arch and Rose Croix Chapters established in Levin. For

23 years he held the onerous position of Secretary to

Lodge Horowhenua, and as such was of great assistance

to the various Masters, his knowledge of Masonic law and

procedure being very extensive. He leaves a widow and

three grown-up daughters to mourn his passing, and our

deepest sympathy is extended to them in their

bereavement.

————————

VALEDICTORY.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

At a recent meeting of the Waikato Royal Arch Chapter,

No. 22, at Hamilton, the centre of attraction as guest was

Ex. Comp. Geo. Rundle, 2nd Soj., who leaves shortly for

Auckland. V.Ex. Comp. A. Wood, 1st Prin., and V.E.

Comp. W. P. Aldridge, I.P.Z., made eulogistic reference

to the able manner in which Ex. Comp. Rundle always

carried out the duties allotted to him. Kindly reference

was also made to Mrs. Rundle, who had been a great help

and a real "Companion" to her husband, always taking a

keen interest in his Masonic activities. Several other

Companions spoke, and sincere regret was expressed that

the Chapter was losing such a popular and valuable

member, and in toasting the "guest" the best of good

wishes were extended to Comp. and Mrs. Rundle in their

new sphere. At a later stage the 1st Principal, on behalf of

the Chapter, presented Ex. Comp. Rundle with a

handsome Royal Arch jewel in recognition of his services

to the Chapter. In reply, Ex. Comp. Rundle thanked the

members for their kind words and expressions of

goodwill, also the nice references to his wife, which he

did appreciate; and, as for the jewel, he could not find

words to express his feelings. He was very sorry to leave

Hamilton, but would carry away very pleasant memories

of his associations with the various branches of

Freemasonry.

Our Companion will be very much missed, as he is a first-

class ritualist and holds office in the Royal Arch, Rose

Croix Chapter, and Knight Templars, of which Order he

is a Foundation member. May they both enjoy the best of

good health and happiness in the City of Auckland.

————————

THE GRAND MASTER'S VISIT TO THE NELSON-

MARLBOROUGH TERRITORY.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

The Grand Master, accompanied by the Grand Secretary,

spent two busy days in the Nelson-Marlborough Territory

on the 22nd and 23rd May, during which all too brief

period our distinguished visitors attended a combined

meeting in Nelson on the Wednesday night under the

charter of Lodge Nelson, No. 288, visited the Kirkpatrick

Masonic Institute Thursday morning, attended Nelson

Rotary Thursday midday, called to see the W.M. of Have-

lock Lodge on the way through to Blenheim Thursday

afternoon, and attended a meeting of combined Marl-

borough Lodges at Blenheim that evening.

The Grand Master and Grand Secretary received a most

enthusiastic welcome wherever they went, and their visit,

together with the speeches they delivered, will long be

remembered as the highlight of our 1946 Masonic Year.

There were very large attendances of brethren at both the

Nelson and Blenheim meetings; and at Nelson W. Bro.

Allan, W.M. of Lodge Nelson, received V.W. Bro.

Craighead, Asst.Prov.G.M., who then received the

representatives of the Westland-Nelson District G.L., led

by W. Bro. Boyce, Past D.D.G.M., and accompanied by

D.G.L. officers. The M.W. the Grand Master was then

received with appropriate honours, and he was

accompanied by a large representation of G.L. officers,

past and present. W. Bro. K. M. Black, Past Asst. G.D.C.,

officiated as G.D.C.

After the Grand Master had acknowledged the special

welcome extended by V.W. Bro. Craighead on behalf of

the Nelson District, the gavel was handed back to W. Bro.

Allan, who proceeded with the First Degree working

scheduled for the evening, and concerning which working

favourable reference was made later in the evening.

During the candidates' retirement the Grand Master took

the opportunity of addressing the brethren in a most

interesting and informative manner on various phases of

the G.L. work, and later in the refectory again spoke in

response to the Official Toast, proposed by V.W. Bro.

Craighead, this time speaking in somewhat lighter vein

and in a manner which delighted the brethren. The Grand

Secretary's speech was also received with great

appreciation; his remarks concerning the staff and office

of G.L., and in connection with the administration of the

W.O. and A.M. Fund being particularly helpful.

All Lodges in the Nelson Territory were represented, and

each W.M. present took the opportunity of paying

respects on behalf of their individual Lodges.

The combined meeting of Marlborough Lodges, for which

a special programme was issued, was equally successful

and enthusiastic. R.W. Bro. F. Mogridge, Prov.G.M.,

presiding, he being received by W. Bro. Brown, W.M. of

Wairau Lodge, the various Chairs being occupied by

officers of respective Marlborough Lodges. There was no

Degree working, and the Prov.G,M., supported by the

Masters of the various Lodges, extended a welcome to the

G.M., to which the Grand Master replied in a most inter-

esting manner, giving some insight into the workings of

Grand Lodge, with special reference to the work of the

Boards of General Purposes and Benevolence.

The subsequent proceedings in the refectory were most

happy and enjoyable, and following the Official Toast,

proposed by R.W. Bro. Girling, Past D.G.M., the G.M.

delivered another address which both intrigued and

interested the members by its happy informality

interspersed with many amusing episodes, and at the same

time Masonic teachings which were greatly appreciated,

particularly by the younger members.

The Grand Secretary, too, delighted the brethren with his

happy speech following the toast to the "Visitors,"

proposed by W. Bro. Whiteford, P.A.G.D.C., and his

reference to the W.O. and A.M. Fund will, it is felt sure,

bear fruit throughout the Nelson-Marlborough Territory.

We thank the Grand Master and the Grand Secretary most

sincerely for their official visit, and would assure them

that their time has been particularly well spent in our

midst towards the better understanding and greater

appreciation of our Order, and if that were necessary a

stimulation of enthusiasm therein.

As already mentioned, the G.M. during his brief stay in

Nelson found time to visit the Kirkpatrick Institute, and

soon showed that the interest was something more than

purely official, and although not quite up to the standard

of some of the smaller girls at quoits, his demonstration

with the skipping rope bore the stamp of proficiency.

Both the G.M. and the G.Sec., who accompanied him,

showed the keenest interest in the children, and lent a

sympathetic ear to the needs of the Institute. It was

fortunate that being term holidays all the children were

present to welcome the visitors to the newly-erected

playhouse, which met with general approval.

R.W. Bro. J. L. Ching, Chairman of the Board of

Governors, with other members of the Board and V.W.

Bro. Craighead, Asst.Prov.G.M., were also in the party.

Perhaps it was not just a coincidence that the children all

went to the pictures on the day following the G.M.'s visit.

At the last annual meeting of the Board of Governors of

K.M.I., W. Bro. W. A. Armstrong, the Chairman, and W.

Bro. Collins, member of the Board, retired, following

many years of valuable service to the Institute. Their

places have been taken by R.W. Bro. Ching as Chairman,

and W. Bro. A. H. Boyce, whilst the Secretarial duties

have been taken over from W. Bro. Hodgson by W. Bro.

H. G. West. W. Bro. R. W. Martin has been appointed to

represent the Irish Constitution.

————————

LODGE CANTERBURY KILWINNING, No. 23.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

VISIT OF THE M.W. THE GRAND MASTER.

Lodge Canterbury Kilwinning, No. 23, was favoured with

an unexpected visit from the Grand Master, M.W. Bro. E.

C. Smith, at its regular meeting on 16th May.

After the R.W. Prov. G.M. and the M.W. Grand Master

had been received, the W.M. handed the gavel to W. Bro.

T. Loader to enable the Past Masters to work a "double"

Second Degree. W. Bro. Loader had the assistance of a

number of P.Ms. of the Lodge, who occupied the various

chairs and conducted the ceremony.

The M.W. the Grand Master expressed his pleasure in

being present to witness the excellent rendering by the

Past Masters of the ceremonial working, and particular

mention was made of the explanation of the Tracing

Board. The R.W. Provincial Grand Master also

congratulated the Lodge on having such a staunch number

of Past Masters capable of working the Degrees so

efficiently after having vacated the various offices many

years ago.

A very pleasant hour was spent in the refectory, when the

Grand Master took the opportunity of giving some sound

advice which was most attentively listened to and

appreciated by all those who were fortunate enough to be

present.

————————

MASONRY, NOT A FORM, BUT A FORCE.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

(By M.W. Bro. F. Whiddon, Grand Master, United

G.L. of N.S.W.)

Masonry as a "form."—We have a profound respect for

that form and the ritual and procedure attached to it.

Why? Because it goes back to the very beginning of

history and even in the remote centuries, in spite of world

turmoil, revolution and war, seems to have gained in

strength by the passage of time and despite world

calamities.

Now that's the "form" of Masonry, both Operative and

Speculative. Speculative Masonry is a tribute to the

astonishing foresight and sagacity of our Masonic

progenitors, which has, during the centuries, while

preserving the ritual and the "form" itself, and the

teachings and principles, is still applicable to modern

conditions.

Masonry as a "force" is the natural and logical corollary,

because Masonry as a "force" is merely the interpretation

and putting into practice that "form."

It seems to me that Masonry, like all other organisations,

must take its share of evolution, and in that evolution it

would seem to me that Masons, at least throughout the

English-speaking nations of the world, have a desire to

make that "force" more important in their communities.

This is one respect in which we must travel slowly,

however, having in mind what has happened on the con-

tinent of Europe, where somewhat similar organisations

became political, and as such had to pay the penalty.

It always seems to me that when taking a map of the

world we find wherever the red indicating British

possessions upon which the sun never sets, has always

been accompanied by the blue of Freemasonry with

respect to which the sun is always at its meridian.

Freemasonry extends right around the world. It is,

therefore, not only national but obviously international,

and, as such, has been and will continue to be, a world-

wide force.

I like to think of Freemasonry as being international when

I think in terms of the international code. One universal

international code and language.

Men of ships of different nationalities when meeting,—

and who otherwise could not respectively make

themselves understood, are able, by this code, to

converse.

Therefore I would like to think of Freemasonry as an

international code to those who have the privilege of

knowing that code. What a wonderful world it would be if

the international code of Freemasonry was practised

throughout every country in civilisation.

Rudyard Kipling taught us the universality and

international nature of Freemasonry, a Lodge meeting

with 5 volumes of the sacred law and in 5 languages, and

paid a tribute to Masonic Lodges all over the world of

whatever country, colour or creed, and this universality is

becoming more pronounced.

Masonry has appealed to the English-speaking nations in

particular. Why? Because these nations are receptive

ground for the principles of Freemasonry. Our funda-

mental principles are the foundation upon which the

English-speaking races maintain their stability, prestige

and force.

Moving around in my duties in very many parts of the

country, I am continually thinking of Masonic Reunions,

because it is my pleasure, honour and privilege to address

many reunions. To tell you the truth, it is the only way in

which the Grand Master can reach the Masons of this

State.

It is impossible to visit all the Lodges of this State, and

the only way in which I can come in contact with many

Masons is to have combined meetings such as this at our

larger country circuits, and then go to the smaller country

centres. The enthusiasm at these gatherings is a great

pleasure to me, and, I think, all Masons.

Last Thursday I was at Taree. One man, eighty-four years

of age, had come forty-seven miles to attend. When men

will do this it seems to me that Masonry is a pretty good

force.

All these things are good. They suggest to me they are

symptomatic of the temper of the world today. Men

struggling and thinking and wondering what they can do

to get back on to a solid foundation.

This terrible war—I hate to refer to the war—has left

forty million people, more than the population of

England, walking about Europe without hope, without

homes and starving, wondering what is to become of them

and what it is all about.

We have to struggle to get back. Every thinking member

of the community, every responsible thinking man, must

put considerable interest to contemplating the problems of

the future. Under these conditions and with the

development of Freemasonry, I wonder if you realise just

what a force Masonry is likely to become, and the

influence it is likely to have on the community.

It is only twenty-eight to thirty years ago when we had

twenty-four thousand Masons in New South Wales, and

somewhere about two hundred Lodges. Today we have

over eighty thousand active subscribing Masons, and well

over six hundred Lodges, but still only one Grand Master,

so you will see that as there is only one Grand Master it is

not remarkable that I should be unable to come to many

particular Installations.

Now this war. Any thinking man will realise that it has

not solved any of the basic problems. In fact, it is

perfectly obvious that it has not only not solved them, but

has even made them more complicated, and at the same

time it has disrupted civilisation and thrown it back many

centuries.

Moral truths and spiritual force, and the refinement and

usages of centuries, seem to be just completely locked out

by the laws of barbarism, if there are such laws. The fact

remains that in less than six years the twentieth century

has reverted to the vandalism of the 5th. Think of the

turbulent centuries in the history of the world.

Take, for instance, one of the greatest changes in history,

the Reformation—which, curiously enough, was started

by a German professor named Martin Luther, and which

spread and covered the world in the Fifteenth and

Sixteenth Centuries.

You also have the French Revolution, the influence of

that revolution is still firmly imprinted in at least 99 per

cent. of the homes of France, the Spanish Inquisition and

the Cromwellian era. These were all great changes and

terrible times, but we have got to realise that all these fade

into insignificance compared with the world today.

We have got to realise that we are living in one of the

most revolutionary periods in the whole history of man.

When we realise this and look back, we feel that we will

need great leaders and great organisations if humanity is

to pull itself back to a solid foundation, and Masonry

must do its share.

Now many modern people are beginning to preach and

propound the theory that education and science are going

to take the place of the Christ doctrine.

On the contrary, the more the people become aware of

Education and Science, the greater will become all those

fundamental principles upon which the nations must de-

pend. The principles of faith, that priceless qualification

of organisation of personal ambition, and, above all, the

things that will bring about the solid fundamental

principles and character upon which the foundation of

civilisation rests.

We have heard of many Secretaries. The Secretary for

Home Affairs, the Secretary for War, the Secretary of

State, and a whole host of others. I should say that we

could stand just one more Secretary, which would

probably abolish half of the others, and that is a Secretary

for Human Relationships. That is what we need today,

both as communities and as individuals. At present you

find the elementary battle of human nature for freedom.

The disasters of the last six years, surely they have taught

us something! It shows one thing. We cannot expect to

hold Democracy as such for long if you define it as do

what you please. That becomes a form of liberty of the

very worst type. Liberty that brings about a multitude of

irresponsible people.

People whose sole object is to get what they can in any

way possible while the going is good. You have groups of

people, pressure groups of economics, and such like, who

never seem to think for one instant what they can do for

the nation, but what they can get out of it.

Are we going to have history repeat itself again? Are we

to have another war or lasting peace? Are we to practise

the Atlantic Charter and the Four Freedoms? There is

nothing new about the Four Freedoms. Men died fighting

for these Freedoms centuries ago: We can only hope that

our leaders will be inspired and restore the mental outlook

of the people, and so bring about a better civilisation.

I feel very strongly about these Reunions. I can see a

wonderful future in them. This development over a few

years is wonderful.

Now take Freemasonry as a "force." 'What a wonderful

force you have here. Why not develop the idea of Ma-

sonic Reunions into visits to other country Reunions, and

further to a State Reunion, and then to Interstate confer-

ences, until the whole of Australia is linked up. What a

wonderful thing it would be for the whole four hundred

thousand Masons in the Commonwealth of Australia.

I would just like to appeal to you as men, as Masons and

as citizens, never to neglect the "form" of our Free-

masonry, and by practising this, together with every other

member of our worldwide organisation, we will assist our

people through this period of turmoil, and uphold the

dignity, prestige and honesty that has prevailed

throughout the centuries.—"N.S.W. Freemason."

————————

THE VOLUME OF THE SACRED LAW.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

It is said, and doubtless with much truth, that the Bible is

not now read as widely as in former days. Certainly its

phrases and metaphors are not as common either in

ordinary speech or in literature, to the impoverishment of

both. But the loss goes infinitely, deeper than this. For the

Bible is not only the greatest classic in English literature;

it is the richest storehouse of spiritual wisdom and guid-

ance for the ordinary man.

To speak of this great book as inspired is to express what

it has been, and is today, to a large majority of its readers.

Through its words have come to men strength and

courage, initiative in social effort, consolation in

adversity, hope in despair, and the fortifying conviction

that God is deeply concerned about all that happens in the

life of man. In it is set forth not only man's search for

ultimate reality, but the revelation of God's purpose and

nature which is at once the stimulus to man's search ^, and

its reward. To read and meditate on this book is to expose

the soul to those enriching influences which make for

such spiritual qualities as are needed at all times, but

especially in times like the present. It is not only that even

in war the qualities most needed are essentially spiritual;

but as men plan for the future and seek a stable basis for

the world's common life, they are compelled increasingly

to realise that self-interest and economic security are not

enough; that if the future is to be secure, and if they are to

discover the foundations on which alone the good and

happy life can be built, they must seek them in true

religion.

The Bible, with the utmost clearness, reveals both the

nature and the need of man. But it also shows what God

has done to reveal man's nature and to meet his deepest

need. The Bible speaks to man both as an individual and

as a member of society in terms which are always relevant

to his situation. And if in these days he will turn afresh to

its pages, not so much as a source book of history or even

of theology, but as the vehicle of God's word to his own

soul, he will be the better equipped for playing an

effective part in the bringing of life as a whole into

harmony with the purpose of God.—"The Times,"

London, Eng.

————————

APATHY.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

What actually is meant by Apathy and wherein lies the

fault? Candidates are brought into Freemasonry of their

own free will and accord. They usually know next to

nothing about the subject. After they have taken the 1st,

2nd and 3rd Degrees, where are they? Stranded? It may

be a case then of not whether they are interested in

Freemasonry but whether we are interested in them. They

may be sufficiently interested to ask questions; we may or

may not be sufficiently versed in the subject to be able to

reply. Our candidates may in due time accept office; they

may eventually occupy the Chair of their Lodge. They

may know the ritual—parrotwise, but what more? They

become a P.M. After that they are out of office. Their

services may no longer be required in Lodge. Whose fault

is that? They should have been in a position to teach, by

communicating light and imparting knowledge, but they

had not been taught, except parrotwise, A brother's

interest may now begin to flag; his brethren feel he is

becoming apathetic, but wherein lies the fault? It is

sometimes suggested that the interest of P.Ms. would be

maintained if they were given some Lodge work to do —

say, explain the W.Ts.; but there are not enough W.Ts. or

other odd bits of work to distribute amongst many P.Ms.,

so that suggestion is really absurd. The fact appears to be

that it is overlooked that Masonry is a progressive science

and should take us far beyond the ritual and refreshment

stage; a brother who fails in that respect has no right to

regard another as apathetic who has no further time to

spare for a subject that appears to have come to an end.

Our brother slips away almost unnoticed; nobody worries

very much about such cases of apathy (?), because there

are fresh candidates coming along, so they will still have

successful evenings of ritual and refreshment, which is all

for the good if we would only show our members what

Masonry has done and can still do.

—"South African Study Circle."

————————

TEUTONIC DESPOILERS FAIL TO CRUSH

FREEMASONRY.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

Exactly six years to the day after the previous

Convocation the Provincial Grand Chapter of R.A.

Masons of Jersey assembled in the Masonic Hall, St.

Helier, Jersey, on Thursday, November 8, 1945. What a

change met the eyes of those who had assembled to that

which they saw six years previously. The Teutonic

despoilers had been very active, but they failed to kill the

spirit of Freemasonry.

The Lodge Room in which the Chapter was opened

presented a strange appearance, as owing to the looting of

the Temple by the Germans none of the usual furnishings,

which make such an attractive picture of a well-laid-out

Royal Arch Chapter room, were to be seen. A bare floor

from which the carpets had been stolen, bare poles from

which the Banners and Standards had been taken away,

surrounded by borrowed kitchen chairs, gave some slight

idea of the handiwork of the Teutonic despoilers.

An altar and fittings had been fabricated and served its

purpose, while in the place of the usual artificial model

working tools were real specimens borrowed from a

friendly local contractor and still showing traces of soil

from a recent excavation, while the trowel bore witness to

the mortar used by the operative mason on his last job of

wall building (writes "G.S.K." in the "Freemasons'

Chronicle," London). In striking contrast to these articles

rested in close proximity a new silver Square and

Compasses given to the Province by the Provincial Grand

Master for Nottingham, R.W. Bro. F. Starling. Another

feature perhaps worthy of record was that the peculiar

conditions revived a custom which is familiar to us all

from our reading, but which probably none of us have

actually witnessed—the "drawing of the Lodge" on the

floor with chalk. Today the geometrical figure for the

"symbolical arrangement" was drawn on the bare floor by

the Scribe E., and the Janitor, and carefully erased with

the substitute for a "mop" by the latter after the ceremony.

THE ROLL CALL.

The calling of the Roll of the Chapters by the Director of

Ceremonies showed that they were all well represented,

but the call of the Roll of Provincial Officers produced a

sad contrast, for only six answered to their names, the

remainder being returned as dead or absent through

sickness. The long Obituary list was then read,

Companions standing to order in a tribute to the memory

of their departed colleagues. May the coming generation

of Masons never have to go through the painful

experience we, the present members, have undergone and

yet triumphantly survived with spirit unbroken, to carry

on the good work, and to devote our energies to the

restoration of the noble science!—"S.A, Freemason."

————————

HAWKES BAY NOTES.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

The regular meeting of Bedford R.A. Chapter, No. 39,

was held on 27th May, when V.Ex. Comp. A. L. Baker,

1st Principal of Heretaunga Chapter, No. 38, accompanied

by his officers, paid an official visit and brought the

candidate, the Ceremony of Acknowledgment being

worked by the officers of Bedford Chapter.

At the regular meeting of Lodge Haeata, No. 272, on 27th

May, a candidate, who has just returned from service

overseas, was passed to the Second Degree.

W. Bro. Fraser, W.M. of Lodge Haeata, proposes paying

an official visit to his mother Lodge (Wairarapa, No. 238)

on 29th June, when a member of Haeata Lodge will be

"raised" to the Third Degree.

On 14th June, R.W. Bro. Edgar C. Hurdsfield, Prov.G.M.,

installed W. Bro. Joseph Rochell, P.G.O., as W.M. of

Victoria Lodge, No. 21, for the second occasion, he

having previously filled the office in 1923. W. Bro.

Rochell has been a tower of strength to Victoria Lodge for

many years and his occupancy of the chair for a second

term, after a lapse of 23 years, is an indication of the great

interest he continues to take in his Lodge. There was a

very large attendance of members and visitors, and a most

enjoyable evening was spent in the refectory after official

proceedings were completed.

There was an exceptionally large attendance of member:

and visitors at the June meeting of Lodge Heretaunga No.

73. T. L. Cater, W.M., presided. Lodges Napier, No 268,

and Te Mata, No. 298, paid official visits, the respective

Masters being well supported by brethren from each

Lodge.

The Services Lodge of H.B., No. 313, held its regular

meeting on 13th June, when the W.M., W. Bro. P. J. R

George, welcomed the W.M., officers and brethren of

Haeata Lodge, who paid an official visit and conducted

the ceremony.

Brethren of the District will regret to learn of the passing

to the G.L. above of Bro. H. Coombe, of Lodge Te Mata.

Our late brother was a very regular and keen attender at

Lodge meetings in the district and gave liberally of his

services to Research Lodge. His health had failed during

the last few months, but his sudden passing came as a

great shock to the members of his own Lodge.

At the monthly convocation of Rawhiti R.A. Chapter No,

30, held on 8th June, V.E. Comp. J. Edwards, 1st

Principal of Victoria Chapter, No. 4, Napier, brought a

very strong representation on an official visit. R.E. Comp.

T. Rowe, Grand Superintendent of the District (who is

Treasurer of Victoria Chapter) made an official visit, and

having been received in ample form, he in turn received

R.E Comp. E. E. Bott, Depute G.Z. V.E. Comp. E. A.

Westlake 1st Principal of Rawhiti Chapter, assisted by his

co-Principals and office-bearers, worked the R.A. Degree,

the ceremony being carried out with customary

smoothness and efficiency. At the conclusion of the

ceremonial portion of the evening a very enjoyable hour

was spent in the refectory, where the visiting Companions

received a warm welcome and the customary toasts were

honoured, the hope being expressed that the occasion

would constitute the forerunner of an annual interchange

of visits between each of the Chapters concerned. The

suggestion was enthusiatically received.

————————

TARANAKI NOTES.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

All Lodges in the District are actively engaged.

Lodge Patea Kil., No. 18, on the 12th June worked a

Second Degree.

At the June meeting of Lodge Hawera, No. 30, the W.M.

and officers were elected, two E.As. were passed to the

F.C. Degree, and one candidate was proposed.

Lodge Stratford, No. 75, also worked a Second Degree at

their last meeting. In the refectory a talk was given by W.

Bro. W. H. Humphrey, "Some thoughts on the teachings

of the Working Tools of the Second Degree." At the May

meeting of Lodge Ngamotu, No. 48, the W.M. and

officers conducted the ceremony of the Third Degree.

Two other F.Cs. are awaiting raising and two E.As. await

passing.

There was a large attendance of members and quite a

number of visitors at the last meeting of Lodge Moa, No.

110. Here, too, a Second Degree was worked. A very

successful evening. There is still a long "waiting" list.

A very good meeting of Lodge Kaponga, No. 208, was

held on 5th June, when the W.M. and officers of Lodge

Taranaki brought a brother who is a member of Lodge

Empire, Wellington, to be raised. The W.M. and officers

of Stratford Lodge were also present. W. Bro. W. Marr

occupied the Chair, the W.M. having left the district.

The Installation of Bro. Bruce McGregor Barclay, S.W.,

as W.M. of Lodge Taranaki, No. 240, and investiture of

officers was held at Hawera on 15th May, and was of

special interest because the brother of the W.M.-elect,

R.W. Bro. J. C. Barclay, P.Prov.G.M., took the principal

part in the ceremony with the consent of R.W. Bro. W. T.

Simmons, Prov.G.M., who was present. The various

addresses and presentations were given by sitting Masters

of the Taranaki Lodges and other well-known brethern,

and the Address to the W.M. was delivered by R.W. Bro.

Barclay. The whole ceremony was conducted smoothly

and was enjoyed by the large number present. In the re-

fectory the R.W. Prov. G.M. gave an interesting address

on the very ancient beginnings of Masonry. In addition to

the usual toasts was one to "The Barclays," proposed in

his "usual quiet and unassuming manner" by Bro. L. A.

Taylor, who gave some details of the Barclay family and

also related the services to Masonry given by the present

representatives of that family. W. Bro. T. C. A. Nobbs, in

toasting the visitors in his well-known style, appealed to

all to take an active part in their Lodge affairs and not to

be one who merely "belongs".

Saturday, 1st June, was a red letter day for Lodge Manaia,

No. 286, when an emergency meeting was held for the

purpose of receiving a visit from the W.M. and officers of

Lodge Waitangi, No. 257 (Wellington). W. Bro.

Anderson conducted the Degree work. Three brothers-E.

J., A., and M. A. Jeromson— were "passed." The three

brothers were obligated by their elder brother, W. Bro. C.

Jeromson, and the secrets were communicated by W. Bro.

J. Jeromson. The Prov. G.M., R.W. Bro. Simmons, and a

number of Grand Lodge officers were present. An official

visit was also paid the same evening by the W.M. and

members of Lodge Taranaki. Supper in the refectory was

in keeping with the unique occasion. Another big meeting

is expected a little later.

The chief Masonic happening at Opunake was the Royal

Arch Installation. V.E. Comp. L. Young was installed as

"Z"

————————

RUAPEHU NOTES.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

Lodge Manchester, No. 287, had a record attendance at its

annual Installation meeting in May, when Bro. A. R.

Gibson was installed by R.W. Bro. J. A. Nash, Prov.

G.M., who was supported in the ceremony by several

Grand Lodge officers.

The Installation of Bro. C. M. Tunnecliffe as Master of

Lodge Te Awahou, No. 133, Foxton, was conducted by

R.W. Bro. J. A. Nash, Prov.G.M., and Grand Lodge

officers on 18th May. On behalf of the members of the

Lodge the Prov. G.M. presented to W. Bro. P. E. Cowley,

P.G.S., a suite of undress regalia. There was a large

attendance of brethren from the Wellington and Ruapehu

Districts, who were suitably entertained by the brethren of

Te Awahou.

One candidate was initiated at the May meeting of Lodge

Awatea, No. 258, after which the W.M., W. Bro. D. W. J.

McDowell, officially welcomed V.W. Bro. W. H.

Sandford, Grand Lecturer, who delivered an inspiring

address on "Nature and Science." The Temple was full,

there being a large number of brethren from sister Lodges

present.

The Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge, No. 47, "passed" three

Brethren, and also balloted for three new members at the

June meeting. W. Bro. W. E. Anderson, the Master of

Kilwinning, has a very busy year ahead of him.

In addition to an initiation, the officers for the coming

year were elected at Feilding Lodge during June. The

ceremony was carried out by W. Bro. W. G. Booth, and

the candidate was his son, R. E. Booth. The W.M. and

officers of Feilding have matters well in hand for their

Installation meeting in July.

The Installation of Bro. J. E. Fraser, Master-elect of

Ohakea Services Lodge, takes place on the third Monday

in June.

A Council of Red Cross Knights, held within the body of

the Manawatu Royal Arch Chapter, was held during May.

Sir Knight Percy W. Morris was installed as M.E.C. by

Past M.E.C. W. A. Waters, Past Grand Supt., and several

R.A. Masons were elevated.

At the April meeting of Lodge Otangaki, No. 70, the

W.M., W. Bro. S. J. Parkes, initiated his only son, Ralph,

who has recently returned from overseas service. The

lodgeroom was well filled, including the Masters, officers

and brethren of four visiting Lodges, who were cordially

welcomed by the W.M., who also congratulated his son

on being honoured with the dual distinction of wearing

the badge of a Mason and a returned serviceman.

————————

SOUTHLAND NOTES.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

The Principals and officers of Southern Cross R.A.

Chapter, No. 3, together with the officers of the Mark De-

gree, paid a visit to Wallace Chapter, No. 34, last month

and conducted the ceremony of Advancement, which was

ably conducted by W. Mark Master A. W. G. McKee and

his officers. R.E. Comp. G. H. Brown, Grand Supt., was

present at this meeting, with several Grand officers, and

conducted the investiture of V.E. Comp. J. T. Mosley as

Grand D.C.

Brethren of Lodge Harvey, No. 49, recently attended

Divine Service at the Gore Anglican Church, when V.W.

Bro. Powell, P.G.Chap., preached a most impressive

sermon.

Bro. D. T. Miller was installed Master of Lodge Southern

Cross, No. 9, at the regular meeting on 6th June in the

presence of a splendid attendance of members and

visitors. Grand Lodge was represented by R.W. Bro. J. D.

Campbell, Prov.G.M., and a strong following of Grand

officers. The ceremony of Installation was conducted by

the Prov. Grand Master, ably assisted by W. Bro. F. J.

Logan, Asst.G.D.C.

W. Bro. A. F. R. Crawford, Master of "The Lodge of

Remembrance," No. 318, presided over the first regular

meeting held since its dedication on 19th June, when a

number of matters of domestic importance were dealt

with. This Lodge has enough work on hand to last for a

considerable period,

The Southland District was well represented at the

Dedication of Temple service held at Mosgiel on 8th June

by Lodge St. John, No. 84. The ceremony was conducted

by M.W. Bro. E. C. Smith, G.M., in a most impressive

manner, ably assisted by Grand officers of the Otago and

Southland Districts.

The Installation of Master of Lodge Fortitude, No. 64 and

the investiture of officers was held on 15th June Grand

Lodge was represented by the Grand Master, M.W. Bro.

E. C. Smith, supported by the Prov.G.M. and a strong

band of Grand officers. R.W. Bro. J. D. Campbell,

Prov.G.M., acted as Inst. Officer, and the duties of G.D.C.

were carried out by W. Bro. F. J. Logan, Asst.G.D.C.

The proposed new Craft Lodge at Gore has been assured

of wonderful support by the officers and members of

Lodge Harvey, No. 49. This Masonic unit, which is being

launched under such happy conditions, will serve a long-

felt want in this progressive Southland town.

E. and P. Bro. A. F. R. Crawford, M.W.S., and officers of

Murihiku Rose Croix Chapter. No. 36, held a most

successful meeting on 29th May. One candidate came

forward for the ceremony of Perfection.

R.E. Comp. G. H. Brown Grand Supt., accompanied by

several Grand officers, attended the June meeting of

Huiroa Royal Arch Chapter and witnessed an excellent

working of the ceremony of Exaltation.

Past Masters of Lodge Waihopai, No. 189, with W. Bro.

Wm. Boyd in the chair, worked the Third Degree at the

regular meeting on 17th June. The Installation of Bro. A.

G. McNaughton as Master will be held at the July

meeting.

The ceremony of Advancement was conducted at the June

convocation of Southern Cross Royal Arch Chapter by W.

Mark Master A. W. G. McKee and his officers.

The Cryptic Council connected with this Chapter

conducted the Royal Select and Super-Excellent Degrees

at a meeting of the Council held on 19th June.

W. Bro. D. T. Miller, the newly-installed Master of Lodge

Southern Cross, No. 9, accompanied by his officers and a

number of brethren, paid a fraternal visit to Lodge

Wairaki, No. 145, and conducted the ceremony of raising.

Bro. James A. Fleming was installed Master of Lodge

Waikaka, No. 151, on 27th May in the presence of an

excellent gathering of members and visitors. R.W. Bro. J.

D. Campbell, Prov.G.M., was present with his usual

following of Grand Officers, and conducted the

Installation ceremony.

A feature of this meeting was the unveiling by the

Prov.G.M. of a handsome framed photograph of the late

W. Bro. D. McKenzie, P.G.D., who in his day and

generation was a staunch supporter of this Lodge.

————————

OTAGO NOTES.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

The Installation of Bro. T. W. C. Dimick as W.M. of

Lodge Waitaki, No. 11, attracted one of the largest

gatherings of members and visitors seen in Oamaru over a

long period. Bro. Dimick has been a constant worker for

the Craft and a regular visitor to Lodges in the North

Otago District, the large assembly being no doubt a

tribute to him and a manifestation of the esteem in which

he is held by all. The ceremony was conducted by the

Prov.G.M. of Otago (R.W. Bro. H. Archbold), assisted by

G.L. officers, several coming from Dunedin, and joined

by those residing in the district. The refectory proceedings

were of a high order, a special feature being a fine

orchestra, under Bro. J. McMillan, which contributed

several enjoyable items. It was a memorable night for

Waitaki.

On 10th May, R.W. Bro. H. Archbold, accompanied by

G.L. officers, journeyed to Clinton and conducted the

Installation of Bro. Wm. Taylor as Master of Lodge

Clinton, No. 183. This proved a highly successful and

well-attended meeting. At the close of the ceremony the

annual ball was held and thoroughly enjoyed by the large

number present.

On the following night Lodge 'Hercules, No. 36, Tapanui,

held its Installation meeting, when Bro. George M. Love

was installed as W.M. and the officers for the ensuing

year invested. We understand there was a record

attendance, including a splendid number of visitors. The

meeting was honoured by the presence of the Grand

Master, M.W. Bro. E. C. Smith, who was duly received in

accordance with his exalted rank. The brethren greatly

appreciate the visit of M.W. Bro. E. C. Smith, who

assisted in the proceedings and addressed the brethren.

Most satisfactory refectory proceedings concluded a

successful evening.

There was also a good attendance to witness the

Installation of Bro. P. W. Donaldson as W.M. of Lodge

Haeremai, No. 155. The ceremony was conducted by

R.W. Bro. H. Archbold, accompanied by a good number

of G.L. officers, who were enthusiastically received. The

refectory proceedings and entertainment provided by the

Haeremai brethren were greatly appreciated by all

present.

The final Installation of the month was held at Port

Chalmers, when Bro. Arthur Erdman was installed as

Master of Lodge Koputai, No. 239, and proved a very

successful occasion, the accommodation in the Temple

being fully taxed. The ceremony was conducted by the

Prov. G.M., with the able assistance of G.L. officers. The

evening was concluded with refectory arrangements that

left nothing to be desired.

The new Master of Lodge Waitaki, No. 11, W. Bro.

Dimick, and his band of young and energetic officers

demonstrated their keenness by paying an official visit to

Lodge Ngapara, No. 68, and were warmly received by the

W.M. and brethren, who are always pleased to receive

visits from Oamaru Lodges. On this occasion W. Bro.

Dimick accepted the gavel and with his officers

conducted the ceremony of "passing" two candidates to

the Second Degree, one being Bro. Crawley, a son of W.

Bro. D. Crawley, the genial Secretary of Lodge Waitaki.

A good number of Oamaru brethren made the trip and

consequently a splendid and very enjoyable night was

spent by all.

Lodge Oamaru, No. 260, held its regular meeting on 1st

May. The W.M., W. Bro. J. Miller, was in the chair, and

assisted by the officers worked the ceremony of the Third

Degree.

Lodge Oamaru Kil., No. 82, under W. Bro. C. K.

Galbraith, held their regular meeting on 15th May, which

was well attended by the brethren of the Lodge. At this

meeting two candidates were initiated in masterly fashion.

The North Otago Lodges are all kept reasonably busy and

progressing steadily. These Lodges have some keen,

active young officers coming on, which augurs well for

the future of the Craft in this district.

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CHRISTCHURCH NOTES.

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United Forces Lodge, No. 245, held its annual-Service-

men's Night on 8th June, when there was a large attend-

ance. The Master, W. Bro. J. A. Johnston, worked the

Second Degree. A very happy evening was spent in the

refectory, when a Roll Call was conducted by W. Bro. C.

J. Henty, and the usual Memorial Observances were held.

Items were given by Bros. Keith Le Cren and Ron. Mc-

Dougall.

The Installation meeting of Doric Lodge, No. 275, was

held on 13th July, when Bro. J. G. Unwin, S.W., was

installed as Master. The ceremony was conducted by

R.W. Bro. A. J. Jones, Prov.G.M., assisted by the officers

of Provincial Grand Lodge. Regret was expressed that the

Lodge is losing the services of Bro. Norman Russell,

S.W., who has been transferred to Wellington.

Lodge Riccarton, No. 276, held its regular meeting on

18th June, when the Master, W. Bro. R. J. Roberts, con-

ferred the Second Degree on two candidates.

The bimonthly meeting of Prince of Wales R.A. Chapter

was held on 19th June, when V.E. Comp. R. L. Reid, Z.,

exalted two candidates to the Royal Arch Degree. There

was a good attendance for V.E. Comp. Reid's last night in

the chair. Ex. Comp. Frank Shanks was elected as Z. for

the ensuing year.

The quarterly meeting of Beckett Rose Croix Chapter,

No. 135, was held on 28th June, when the M.W.S., Ex.

and Per. Bro. Guy Scott, admitted one candidate to the

Rose Croix Degree.

It is understood that Lodge Corinthian is likely to be

consecrated in July.

A movement is in progress for the formation of a new

Royal Arch Chapter in Mid-Canterbury to serve the

brethren in the Leeston-Southbridge-Dunsandel-Rakaia

and adjacent districts. A number of Christchurch

Companions are joining as Foundation Members.

The April meeting of Lodge Ionic, No. 212, was the

setting for a unique ceremony in the Lodge's history,

when Bro. Ronald A. Ayling was initiated under

dispensation, being a Lewis. Bro. Ayling is a son of W.

Bro. Basil Ayling, a. P.M. in Lodge Ionic, who was W.M.

of Lodge Victoria, No. 147. W. Bro. Ayling obligated his

son, together with Bro. F. E. Butterfield, and also

communicated the signs and secrets to the candidates. In

the refectory W. Bro. H. Muschamp, in proposing Bro.

Ronald Ayling's health, explained the symbolism of the

word "Lewis," the lesson it was intended to convey, and

the privileges it carried. Lodge Ionic has now four fathers

and sons associated with the Lodge, Bro. Ronald Ayling

being the first Lewis.

A further enthusiastic meeting of 32 members of the

newly-formed Corinthian Lodge was held on 11th June,

when W. Bro. J. E. S. Newson was appointed Preceptor

and it was decided to work the Alternate Scotch 3rd De-

gree. Owing to the great interest being shown throughout

the Territory in the Constitution, Dedication and

Installation Ceremony, which will probably take place in

August, a committee was formed charged with procuring

a suitable hall, as it is felt that even the Gloucester Street

Temple will not have sufficient accommodation for those

likely to be present. The gift of a suitably bound V.S.L.

from W. Bro. T. B. Carpenter, of Nelson, was gratefully

accepted, and the announcement that Lodge St.

Augustine, No. 4, had promised a substantial sum for the

purpose of purchasing something required in the Lodge

was greeted with applause, the gift being particularly

appropriate, as the Master-elect, Bro. G. T. Williams, was

initiated in a St. Augustine Lodge (No. 99, Waimate).

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NORTH CANTERBURY NOTES.

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Southern Cross, No. 6, paid their annual visit to Crown

Lodge, No. 138, recently and conducted the ceremonial

work in a very efficient manner. There was a large

attendance of members and visitors to witness the

ceremony, and No. 6 received a real "Crown reception."

Ashley Lodge, No. 28, has a lot of work ahead and is

getting ready for the Group meeting, which will be held in

Ashley Temple on 31st August, when the Master, W. Bro.

Hawkins, anticipates a large and enthusiastic gathering.

Mairaki Lodge, No. 131, is having a busy time under the

mastership of W. Bro. Sid. Clements, who anticipates

visiting a number of sister Lodges in the near future.

Tawera Lodge, No. 188, also has quite a lengthy

programme, and W. Bro. Fairweather will be a busy man

for the balance of his term as Master.

Amuri Lodge, No. 184, has suffered another bereavement

in the passing of Bro. Tom Belton, who was a keen

Freemason and a good citizen. He had been on the sick

list for a considerable time, and our group extends its

sympathy to Mrs. Belton and family and to Amuri Lodge.

W. Bro. W. A. Harris, W.M. of Acacia Lodge, No. 209, is

hoping to revive the interchange of visits with sister

Lodges in the District in the near future, now that the

petrol situation has improved.

The Kaikoura and Cheviot Lodges had a splendid

gathering recently, when Kaikoura visited Cheviot and

conducted the ceremony of Initiation. The Master of

Cheviot, W. Bro. R. Williamson, extended a warm

welcome to W. Bro. Fairweather and his Kaikoura

brethren. The refectory proceedings were most enjoyable

and appreciated, by all. Cheviot hopes to return the visit

soon.

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NELSON-MARLBOROUGH NOTES.

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Apart from the Grand Master's greatly appreciated official

visit, to which special reference is made in a separate

report, the past month has been a period of great Masonic

activity throughout the Territory. One pleasing feature is

that with the lifting of travel restrictions the Lodges are

once more on the move, with an interchange of visits

entailing many miles of travel. These visits obviously are

of great value, not only to the Lodges but to the individual

members, who are thereby given an opportunity of

renewing many Masonic friendships.

A large contingent of Nelson brethren is expected to

journey to Blenheim for the Wairau Lodge Installation on

22nd June, at which by special request of the Prov. G.M.,

the Asst.Prov.G.M., V.W. Bro. Craighead, is to preside.

Over 20 of the Lodge Forest brethren, led by the W.M.,

W. Bro, Palmer, attended the emergency meeting of

Wairau Lodge, and their working of the Third Degree to

"raise" Bro. Henry O'Hara, son of the Forest Lodge

Secretary, was excellent and of great interest to the

Wairau brethren. W. Bro. Fitzsimmons, P.G.D., a veteran

of Forest Lodge, was among the visitors who greatly

enjoyed the trip and appreciated the "working." The

Wairau brethren excelled themselves in their hospitality, a

visit to Picton for lunch, followed by a launch cruise

down the Sounds, being arranged for the Sunday. Forest

Lodge members, who had not visited Wairau officially

since 1937, are looking forward to a return visit from

Wairau.

There was a record attendance at the meeting of Wairau

Lodge held on the 28th May, when a candidate was initi-

ated. This was W. Bro. Brown's last night, and it was

pleasing to see such a large attendance to bear witness to

his many excellent qualities, to which W. Bro. Vercoe

made special reference later in the refectory. Several of

the older W. brethren took part in the ceremony most

creditably. Sincere regret was expressed on account of the

departure from Blenheim of the S.D., Bro. N. R. Parkes,

to take up a position in Christchurch. W. Bro. Glover has

presented to the Lodge a handsome gong on a laminated

wood base, and this handsome gift was used most

effectively in the refectory.

Lodge Motueka "raised" a F.C. at their regular meeting on

the 22nd May, and, as previously mentioned, paid an

official visit to Lodge Murchison on 25th May, sixteen

members making the trip, which was thoroughly

appreciated by the members of both Lodges. Lodge

Motueka is mourning the Loss of yet another of its

esteemed P.Ms., namely W. Bro. Shaw-Thomson, Past

A.G.D.C., who, prior to his departure to Wellington, was

a tower of strength within the Lodge, in which he

officiated as D.C. for many years.

Southern Star Lodge, No. 735, E.C., initiated two candi-

dates at their meeting held 28th May, when the D.G.M.,

R.W. Bro. Lawn, paid an official visit, accompanied by

his D.G.L. officers. An emergency meeting was also held

by this Lodge on 21st May for the purpose of "passing"

two E.As. The Southern Star Lodge is preparing for a

Ladies' Night, to be held shortly.

The 65th Annual Installation of Victory Lodge, No. 40,

was more like a pre-war Installation in that the Temple

was taxed to capacity, the attendance totalling nearly 200,

including 64 P.Ms. V.W. Bro. Craighead,

Asst.Prov.G.M., presided and the whole proceedings were

conducted in a most pleasing, dignified and satisfactory

manner. W. Bro. Findlay, Asst.G.D.C., officiated as D.C.

R.W. Bro. Lawn, District Grand Master, Westland-Nelson

E.C., accompanied by his officers, was received with

appropriate honours, his presence and assistance in the

ceremony being greatly appreciated. Bro. Dudley Gill,

S.W., was duly installed as W.M. and greatly impressed

the brethren by his easy manner and excellent address,

and a successful year under his guidance is assured. Bro.

C. W. Cannington was invested as S.W. and Bro. W. H.

Pierce as J.W. R.W. Bro. Stiles, P.D.G.M., is continuing

his long and faithful service to the Lodge as Secretary and

W. Bro. Ibbotson was reelected Treasurer. The I.P.M., W.

Bro. Walker, was complimented upon the completion of a

successful year, and on behalf of the Lodge W. Bro. G. S.

Stiles presented to him a P.M.'s Jewel, also a beautifully-

prepared Book of the Lodge Circulars for the year. The

proceedings in the refectory, enlivened by the excellent

music of the Victory Lodge orchestra, were bright and

happy, the visitors being well entertained in surroundings

made most pleasing by the floral decorations.

We have been very pleased to welcome to Nelson M.W.

Bro. F. A. Steans, Past Pro G.M., and he was an honoured

visitor on the occasion of the G.M.'s visit, and also at

Victory Lodge Installation.