Distinctions Among Men
Probably the greater number of New Zealanders spring originally from a society which was markedly
stratified and in which social distinctions, arising from birth or wealth, amounted to a great deal.
In such a society there is little coming and going between any two strata. To marry "above" or "below" one's
station is a difficult and unusual thing. It is expected that to a great extent one will remain happy in "that
state of life to which it hath pleased God" to call one.
It is difficult to find theological backing either for this injunction or for the thought behind it. It dates from a
period when submissive acceptance of one's lot was important to the state, and when church and state were
intimately bound up together. It is today hardly really a part of Christian doctrine and it may well be foreign
to the teachings of the other great religions.
For people to accept their lot was, for the authorities, a comfortable and convenient thing. Social change,
even social unrest, posed a threat to those in command of the situation. The student of comparative religion
will testify to the frequency with which the state invokes the authority of the church to maintain the status
quo.
And yet history, the history of mankind, provides example after example of the rebel who, impelled by
motives a little better than selfish, succeeds in altering the course of events for the benefit of his fellows.
Social distinctions based on birth or wealth have their limitations, and it is possible to transcend them, for
aristocracies have a habit of replenishing themselves.
The Freemason looks forward to the time when all distinctions save those of goodness and virtue shall cease:
they are really meaningless, for in the end Death, the great Leveller of all human greatness, will certainly
reduce us all to the same state—perhaps, in this context, the older word estate may be more illuminating.
Yet the Craft points out that distinctions among men are necessary to preserve subordination and to reward
merit. If we had none we would have anarchy. Organised society requires some sort of hierarchy, a
recognition of differences in function, an acknowledgment of leadership. Leadership may be in an office
which passes from man to man: it still requires recognition. The respect accorded to men because of merit
and ability is accorded naturally and does not need to be enforced; since this is so, there is no need to attack
it. It contributes a great deal to the welfare of society, and the desire to stand well with one's fellows, as an
incentive, is not the least worthy that inspires human actions.
Distinctions are largely a matter of organisation for particular purposes. Two men work in the same
business—for the sake of argument, an insurance company. One is the general manager, the other his clerk.
The clerk may be the Master of the lodge; the general manager the Junior Steward; there is nothing wrong
with the two situations coexisting, for the purposes of an insurance company are not the same as the purposes
of a Masonic lodge. The Master may retire, and in course of time the Junior Steward may become the
Master. The General Manager may retire, and in due course his clerk may succeed him. There is nothing
inherently different when one man is compared with the other: suitability and preparedness for a particular
purpose at a particular time are the criteria.
Distinction, though, has another meaning, and when a man has gained or achieved distinction in this
extended sense he has acquired something that accrues to himself as an individual and in his personal
capacity. It is not possible to take it away from him. He retains it after the tenure of his last office has
expired. It is reflected in the opinion and goodwill of his fellows and this kind of distinction we will always
have with us.
The distinction that comes from the development of character according to the lesson of the perfect ashlar is
so important an element in human relations that distinctions of rank and wealth in an advanced society
appear insignificant by comparison. This is the way the Craft would have it: it is the way to a healthy Craft
and to a healthy society.
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Toast to an Initiate
By Bro. Lt. Comm. T. C. A. WAGHORN, R.N.,
United Brethren Lodge, No. 1923, Malta
During the ceremony of your initiation, you stated that you were prompted to solicit our privileges by a
favourable opinion, preconceived of the Institution, a general desire for knowledge and a sincere wish to
render yourself more extensively serviceable to your fellow creatures. In order in some small measure to
gratify your desire for knowledge, I shall proceed to put you in possession of certain facts which, had you
known earlier, would probably have added to your preconceived favourable opinion. Freemasons have had
an influence on your life thus far, to an extent that you have never dreamed of, but, as I do not wish to
mystify, I will explain to you how this is so.
Soon after you were born I expect you were vaccinated against smallpox. The discovery of this method of
combatting the disease was the work of Brother Edward Jenner. You may have had a serious illness or
injury, requiring surgery, and you needed an anaesthetic, for which you can thank Dr Crawford W. Long,
who first used ether. Or again you could be one of millions who has cause to bless Sir Alexander Fleming,
the discoverer of penicillin, who was a Grand Lodge officer of the English Constitution. On going to school,
you prepare to be educated. Freemasonry in the schoolroom? The answer is an emphatic—yes! Let us
commence with geography, where you learn about such countries as Bolivia and Rhodesia, which are named
after Brothers Simon Bolivar and Cecil John Rhodes. Apart from these, there are quite literally hundreds of
cities, towns, rivers, mountains and so on similarly named: Houston, Washington, Mt. McKinley,
Wellington, Durban, Mt. Stewart, Lafayette and many others.
Turning to chemistry, you are taught to use symbols for the various elements. This is the work of Brother
Baron Berzelius, who also first discovered, or isolated, several of those elements, as did Brother Joe
Bonifacio, famous Brazilian statesman and scientist. Another brilliant chemist and mineralogist was James
Smithson, a London Freemason,
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CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Journals bearing the following addresses have been returned to this office marked, "Gone, No Address".
Should any Lodge Secretary or Brother know the present address of any of these Brethren, we would be
pleased to receive their advice.
A. Bowden, 738 Tararu Rd., Thames. T. D. Buchanan, 35 Fancourt St., Remuera.
O. C. Campbell, 184 Gillies Ave., Epsom, Auckland. J. M. Clark, 76 Godden Cres., Auckland, E.1.
G. E. Collis, Kairanga, R.D. 7, Palmerston North. J. P. P. Healey, 119 Waeranga Rd., Otaki.
G. L. Judd, 43 Elizabeth St., Tauranga. C. H. A. Hiri, 9 Craighall Cres., Dunedin.
Allan Lawrence, Box 1159, Wellington. G. A. Lindsay, 18 Melrose Pl., Tokoroa.
Alan Marryatt, 225 Main Rd., Trentham. D. R. McKenzie, 87 James St., Whakatane.
L. C. McLauchlan, 171 High St., Dannevirke. J. D. Moncrieff, 36 Albert St., Pahiatua.
T. D. O'Connor, 84 Flanshaw Rd., Te Atatu. K. A. Richards, Antares Flats, 6 East St., Petone.
G. K. W. Page, Flat 2, 394 Mt. Eden Rd., Auckland. H. Simpson, 197 James St., Whakatane.
Toast to an Initiate continued
better remembered for his legacy which led to the foundation of the Smithsonian Institution, a seat of
learning unique in the world. Botany introduces us to the Burbank plum and the Shasta daisy, both developed
by Brother Luther Burbank. Here in Malta the beautiful flaming poinsettia is well known. It is named after
Joel R. Poinsettia, an American diplomat, Freemason and amateur horticulturist. If you are within reach of
London, it is more than likely that you visited the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, founded by Sir Joseph
Banks, a member of Somerset House Lodge. There is also the London Zoo, started by Brother Sir Stamford
Raffles, an initiate of a Lodge in the Dutch East Indies.
Back in the classroom, do you remember an experiment with some iron filings and a magnet? This
introduced the study of electromagnetism, and was the work of Hans Christian Oersted. With history it is
virtually impossible to find a page in the last 200 years without encountering Freemasons. Amongst them are
some black sheep we must reprehend, albeit with mercy, but by far the greater number were worthy
Brethren: Field Marshal Blucher, Wellington, Ta1leyrand, Jean Paul Marat, Baron von Steuben, John
Wilkes, Edmund Burke, Marshal Bernadotte, Scharnhorst, Qneisenau, Von Stein, Daniel O'Connell, Louis
Kossuth, George Washington, Lord Roberts, Andrew Jackson, Kitchener, Haig, Joffre, Jellicoe, Pershing,
Mazzini of Italy, Pombal of Portugal, San Martin of the Argentine, O'Higgins of Chile, Hidalgo of Mexico,
Sir John Alexander MacDonald of Canada, Edmund Barton of Australia, M. W. Pretorius of South Africa,
and so on down to World War II with Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Generals
George C. Marshall, Douglas McArthur, Doolittle, Arnold. Omar Bradley, Mark Clark, and at least two
English Grand Lodge officers, Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Lord Newall, and Field Marshal Lord
Alexander of Tunis.
Still, all work and no play will not do. At what did you play? Did you ever pretend to be Kit Carson or
Buffalo Bill? Oh yes, Christopher Carson and William Cody were real people, and members of our Craft.
What of indoor entertainment, the cinema, where you saw many films good, bad and indifferent? It is to be
hoped that not too many were bad, as the chief censor for many years was Broth. Will H. Hays. You may
remember seeing his name, along with those of the stars and directors. This latter include David W. Griffith,
Cecil B. de Mille and Louis B. Mayer. Among the actors we find that many of our favourites were Brother
Masons: Bud Abbott, Gene Autry, Joe E. Brown, Wallace Beery, Charlie Chase, Charles Coburn, Donald
Crisp, Harold Lloyd, Leon Errol, Douglas Fairbanks, snr., W. C. Fields, Hoot Gibson, Oliver Hardy, John
Gilbert, Jean Hersholt, Buck Jones. Otto Kruger, Dick Powell, Victor McLaglan, Roy Rogers, and that
remarkable man Will Rogers, so imbued with Masonic spirit as to declare, "I never met a man I didn't like."
Just before leaving the cinema, did you ever think about the lightning conductor on the building? You took it
for granted—but we owe this to the immortal Benjamin Franklin, a Freemason, who also invented the bifocal
glasses through which you may have viewed the film.
Still, not all time out of school was your own. Occasionally, I imagine, you were dragged off to visit Aunt
Jane. This meant a good deal of preparation, scrubbing dirty knees and washing your ears—most likely using
Sunlight Soap or some other product of Brother Lord Leverhulme. And, during your visit, did you have a
biscuit and a cup of tea? Did you take one of those large biscuits full of currants? What were they called?
Ah, yes, a Garibaldi, so named after the great Italian patriot and Grand Master of Italy. And the tea? It could
have been Lipton's, where once more we meet a Freemason in the person of Sir Thomas Lipton, the
yachtsman and tea magnate.
Then again, doubtless in those tender years you were thrilled by tales of adventure and, looking back, realise
that truth is stranger than fiction. Many of the true stories tell of bravery, heroism, fighting against odds, and
of brotherly love. Such stories as that of Brother Charles Lindbergh, flying out alone, putting his trust in
God, on that first, wild, impossible crossing of the Atlantic; of Captain Robert Falcon Scott, struggling to the
South Pole and back to his tragic, though heroic death. From his diary it is known that his thoughts were
always of others. He was an initiate of the Drury Lane Lodge, in London. Or the happier story of Admiral
Peary and the North Pole, or Admiral Byrd flying over both Poles. Another is the founding of the city-state
of Singapore by Raffles; the intrepid adventures of James Brook, the first white Rajah of Sarawak; or the
exploits of the American "G"-men, directed by Bro. J. Edgar Hoover. Immortal was the defence of
Corregidor by Bro. Mathew Wainwright; unbelieveable were the escapes of the great entertainer, Harry
Houdini; strange and fascinating is the story of Anton Mesmer, who was denounced as a charlatan in his day,
but now generally accepted as the founder of the science of hypnotism or "mesmerism"; and the turbulent
career of Brother Jack Dempsey, the heavyweight boxing champion.
As you grew to manhood it is to be hoped that the cultural side of life was not entirely neglected. What did
you read? Was it about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, Sherlock Holmes, Ivanhoe, King Solomon's
Mines, Three Men in a Boat, Kim or Gunga Din? If you did, then remember that Mark Twain, Conan Doyle,
Sir Walter Scott, Henry Rider Haggard, Jerome K. Jerome and Rudyard Kipling were Freemasons.
Perhaps you were interested in more serious literature and have met works by Goethe, Alexander Pope,
Goldsmith, Voltaire, Montesquieu, Pushkin. Schiller, Edward Gibbon or the biography Dr Johnson by James
Boswell (who was Deputy Grand Master Mason of Scotland) and the wonderful character, "Figaro", created
by Beaumarchais. How about something less heavy—"The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayam", or "Tales of
Arabian Nights"—both translated by Freemasons, the former by Edward Fitzgerald and the latter by Sir
Richard Burton.
Perhaps you enjoy good music. The intriguing "Farewell Symphony" is by Brother Franz Joseph Haydn, the
"Hungarian Rhapsodies" by Franz Liszt. Other composers include Sibelius, who was Grand Organist of the
Grand Lodge of Finland; Amadeus Wolfgang Mozart, whose "Magic Flute" has a Masonic background; Dr
Thomas Arne, the composer of "Rule Britannia"; Johann Christian Bach, son of the more famous Johann
Sebastian, but a great musician in his own right; Samuel Wesley, the famous organist, a nephew of John
Wesley, the founder of Methodism and the son of Charles Wesley, the great hymn writer. In more recent
years there has been Sir Landon Ronald and operatic singer Lauritz Melchior.
If, however, you prefer somediing less classical, how about "Alexander's Ragtime Band", or any other of the
hundreds of tunes by Brother Irving Berlin. If martial-music is preferred, what better than the "Washington
Post", or any other composition of the "March King", Bro. John Philip Sousa.
Let us turn for a brief moment to the stage, where again there is a wealth of talent: Sir Henry Irving, Edmund
Kean, David Garrick, Edwin Booth, Sir Harry Lauder and Ian Hay.
In the world of art we meet many painters and sculptors. There is William Hogarth, James Thornhill, Gutzon
Borglum, Alexander Nasmyth, J. B. Greuze, Jean Antoine Houdon, Allyn Cox, John Sartain, Bryant Baker,
Frederic Batholdi and Charles Keck, to name but a few.
You may write many letters and some are casually sent overseas, without much thought. Until 100 years ago
this was both costly and risky—that is, until Bro. Heinrich von Stephan formed the International Postal
Union. Some time or other you start to shave, and at this stage Bro. King C. Gillette probably enters your
life. As you get on in the world, you buy a car. Perhaps it is not an original "Model T" but it could easily be
one of Bro. Henry Ford's later ones. You drive it on a hard-surfaced road, and once again it is a Freemason,
John Loudon MacAdam, who is the father of modern roads.
Then the fair sex crosses your horizon and even here Freemasons offer you advice: "Take a pair of sparkling
eyes, Take a pair of ruby Lips, Take and keep them if you can, Lucky man". Familiar? Yes! It is from the
"Gondoliers" by Gilbert and Sullivan. Brother William Schwenk Gilbert was the writer of the words, which
are unsurpassed in their class, and his lyrics gave rise to the adjective "gilbertian" to describe some ludicrous
situation. Sir Arthur Sullivan, the brilliant musician, known for his "Lost Chord" and "Onward, Christian
Soldiers", as well as for the "Savoy Operas", was Grand Organist of the United Lodge of England.
If you take your lady to a party, among other things you might enjoy dancing the "Paul Jones"—in which
you change partners, even as Brother Paul Jones changed allegiances; from Scotland to the American
colonies, to France, to Russia and then back to France. Even after his death, his body was moved to
Annapolis, where he is revered as the founder of the United States Navy. At the end of the party, you all join
hands and sing together, "For Auld Lang Syne", words by the immortal Robbie Burns, a Freemason and
Deputy Master of his Lodge.
This is not the end of the story. There is no end to it. Pick up a newspaper and look at the people in the news:
Astronaut Gordon Cooper, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, King Gustav Adolph of Sweden, and our own
Grand Master, who is Lord Chamberlain to Her Majesty on State occasions. Somewhere in the world—at
this very moment—the Inter- national Red Cross is
doing its humane work, and once again it was a
Freemason, Jean Henri Dunant, the "man in
white", who tended wounded soldiers after the
terrible battle of Solferino, who started the Red
Cross. Go where you 'ill—the North or South
Poles—and Masons have been here before you.
Go to America and you are greeted by the Statue
of Liberty, the work of Bro. Frederic Bartholdi. Go
to Paris and the scene is dominated by Bro.
Gustave Eiffel's masterpiece. Everywhere you go,
you will find your brother-Freemasons extending
the hand of friendship to welcome you.
You, of course, have a part to play in all this. Do
justice, love mercy, practise charity, and
endeavour to live in brotherly love with all
mankind so that you will be able to contribute
something sincere, however small, to the glorious
heritage which is ours.
—The Royal Arch Mason
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A TIME FOR AWAKENING
The news of the expose of Freemasonry which was presented over TV in Great Britain a year ago should
rouse all of us to do some serious thinking about the status of our Craft in the context of the needs of society
today.
History has consistently shown that institutions and civilisations that do, not adequately meet the needs of the
society of their time begin to fade out and eventually disappear. In my opinion the time for all of us to do
such thinking has arrived.
A glance at the comparative standing of our Masonic Craft today, as compared with its status in the scheme
of things a half-century ago, is scarcely reassuring.
Some Masonic writers attempt such reassurance by recalling the low point to which our Craft declined
following the political attacks made on it after the Morgan affair, almost a century and a half ago. They also
point out that after the attacks ceased during the 1840s it made a slow come-back and regained its power and
prestige among the public, finally reaching a pre-eminent position around the turn of this century. While
admitting some concern over the decline in membership and public esteem it has suffered in the last decade,
these writers take an optimistic view that history will somehow repeat itself, and that our Craft will again
regain its old status.
Before deciding whether or not to accept this view, let us ask ourselves candidly whether our Masonic Craft
is adequately meeting the needs of its members in these troubling times, and thus fulfilling the test of
survival.
In attempting to answer this question, let us recall some of the things that have occurred in the last half-
century, which has surely been a period of sharp transition. For one thing, the United States and the Soviet
Union have assembled enough physical destructive power to wipe the human race off this planet. Other
nations are beginning to acquire similar power. All that humanity has achieved during its efforts down the
ages, is threatened with destruction.
In addition to this threat of nuclear warfare, the other great challenges of today centre on the revolutionary,
nationalistic regimes that have emerged in the former colonial areas of the world, and on the problem of
population growth. There is also the need for strength and protection in the free societies, facing the threats
of totalitarianism. Around the Atlantic Basin, for instance, we find division among peoples and nations that
should be united the better to face these threats. As one qualified observer has noted, "The collective
problems of mankind are the great challenge to individual thinkers today".
Admittedly, the last half century has been a period of the swiftest and deepest change in all history. Now, let
us turn from these global challenges and reflect on some of the changes that have taken place in our own
domestic economy.
Has it not become more and more complex, and also more and more dehumanised in our lifetime? In the
areas of Big Government, Big Industry and Big Unions, do we not see that this dehumanising process is
imposed by the complex nature of these organisations, with their many layers of authority interposed
between the individual man at the bottom and the decision-makers at the top?
During this same period, the new ideas and mushrooming growth of technology have combined to accelerate
the processes of automation and mechanisation to an unprecedented degree. And, as we all know, this rapid
technological growth has been accompanied by many social, moral, political and economic changes, as well
as by a multitude of unsolved problems in all these fields.
Now, one of the factors contributing to our acceptance of these changes is our typical love for, and
fascination with gadgets and mechanical devices, and our admiration—and even adulation—for the ingenuity
which produces them.
The French dramatist, Eugene Ionesco, suggests that this seemingly innocent fascination with gadgetry may
be dangerous, where he says in his play "Atlas": "Once ideologies become idolatries, automatic systems . . .
rise like a wall between the spirit and reality, dimming the spirit and dulling the hearing".
Transposed into simpler language and applied to our subject, we understand this to mean there is danger
involved if we allow our admiration of gadgetry to evolve into a cult of worship for machines. For when we
do this, we are breaking the First Commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me".
One of the great needs of humanity today is more light, rather than more wealth or more things. As members
of the Order, we can all be grateful for the Masonic light that enables our Brethren and us to understand and
cope with the problems of the day.
There is much in the teachings of Freemasonry that can help men to learn to live understandingly with each
other, but to do this, they need guidance and leadership.
Sir William J. Haley, editor of the "Times" of London, urged a group of British business leaders to speak out
on the moral issues of our times, saying in part, "Do not stay silent. If we are silent, we desert our
responsibilities. If we are apathetic, we betray our heritage. If we are defeatist, we surrender what is noblest
in the spirit of man".
During a recent visit to Florida, the eminent world historian, Dr Arnold Toynbee, was asked during an
interview what he considered most important at this time. Toynbee replied: "A high standard of behaviour to
each other. Everything depends on that".
Unfortunately, in my opinion, our Order, which was designed to improve and exalt the dignity and character
of its members, has stood publicly aloof from the processes and forces that have been transforming our
Society, and whittling away the dignity and status of the individual.
Perhaps the leaders of our Order should re-examine their traditional policy of public silence on the moral and
spiritual issues confronting us on every hand today.
To prevent misunderstanding of the subjects that might be embraced under the above suggestion, let me add
that I agree wholeheartedly with the wisdom of keeping silent on political and religious issues; but I see
nothing wrong with taking a stand on other matters that have moral or ethical implications. Of course there
may be many instances where it would be very difficult to distinguish between a political or religious
problem and the moral issue involved. In such cases, silence would certainly be in order, unless great care
were exercised in stating the position and the distinction that might be involved.
Showing our Brethren how they can make the ideals and teachings of our Masonic order more meaningful in
their daily thinking and living—this is both an opportunity and a challenge to our Masonic leaders. The
future of our beloved Order depends on how they handle it.
—The Indiana Freemason
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Banners of all kinds available from
Regalia House
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LEBANON CEDARS
There has been, and there is many a famous forest and many a notable tree, but of all groves, hursts or holts
those of most ancient renown are the cedars of Lebanon. When our Forces repelled the Nazi menace to Syria
they advanced among the remnants of woodlands extolled by Isaiah and coveted by Solomon.
There are scattered trees and sparse groves, but the finest accredited heirs of those the prophet called "the
glory of Lebanon" stand near the village with the lip-twisting name of Bsherreh. The arboreal colony
overlooks the deep fertile valley of the river Qadisha, dipping down towards the Mediterranean with slopes
farmed in terraced fields of grain and vegetables.
There are some 400 trees remaining on an abrupt shelf-like plateau about half-way up the Jabel Makhmal.
From down the valley they are seen as a dark green patch on the reddish-brown mountain side. In the second
century an edict was issued in the name of the Emperor Hadrian to preserve the vanishing cedars of Lebanon,
and long afterwards, when the Turks were masters of Syria, a Provincial Governor,
Rustam Pasha, had a stone wall built around this colony to protect it from the mountain goats. Both the
Moslems, and .he Maronite Christians of the land, are forbidden by religious injunction as well as the law
from marring these "Arz er Rubb"—"Cedars of God".
Cedars are evergreen, the flat wide-stretching boughs, extending at right angles from the trunks like green
awnings, always clothed with needle-like leaves. Even the most venerable trees still "bring forth fruit in their
old age", bearing fragrant cones that take two years to grow to maturity. The resin exuded from the twigs and
the rough reddish-brown bark is fragrant, too, and was formerly used for embalming. The trunks are
sometimes of mighty girth, and the wood is very hard, close-grained and capable of a high polish.
That it was valued highly in ancient times is not surprising. The Greeks sought it for the temples of Diana at
Ephesus and Apollo at Utica. King Hiram of Tyre told his friend David of Jerusalem that he might take to
that city "cedar trees without number", and with King Solomon he entered into a famous building contract.
Thirty thousand Hebrew workmen were conscripted to labour with the men of Hiram, felling the trees,
bringing them down to the sea, floating them in rafts along the coast, and taking them to Jerusalem.
They furnished the pillars, roofs, doors and beams not only of Solomon's great Temple, but of his Judgment
Hall, "The House of the Forest of Lebanon", his private palace, and the "house he made for Pharaoh's
daughter", whom he had taken to wife. The trees on the plateau are the last stately survivors, some more than
a thousand years old, of the forest from which "Hiram gave Solomon cedar according to all his desire".
—Anthony Clyne in "Wood"
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REMEMBER YOUR OBLIGATIONS
"You may wear an emblem on your coat, from your finger flash a ring.
But if you're not sincere at heart, that doesn't mean a thing.
It's merely an outward sign to show the world that you belong
To that great fraternal brotherhood that teaches right from wrong.
The things that really count are hidden deep within the breast,
Until Masonic teachings brings them forth and put them to the test.
Console a Brother when he's ill; assist him when in need,
Practice without the Lodge, the things you've been taught within;
Be just and upright to yourself and with your fellowmen.
Walk and act in such a way that the world without may see
That none but the best can meet the test laid down by Masonry.
Always be faithful to your trust, just do the best you can;
Then you can tell the world at large that you're a Mason and a Man."
—Square and Compass
PRIME PURPOSE
By V. M. Burrows
No other society in the world can look back to an ancestry nobler than our own.
Freemasonry is a cumulative philosophy, built up from the thinking of men from the earliest times to the
present.
The principles which underlie Freemasonry ana which are taught in her symbolism, go back beyond the
dawn of written history.
The history of Masonry is interesting, and quite important, but is really secondary to the prime purpose of
personality development of the individuals.
Masonry has sought to impress upon the minds of human beings those truths of living which are fundamental
to physical and mental health and spiritual development.
Modern Masonic research tends to convince us that the true origin of Masonry does not date further back
than the time when workingmen began to make practical application of moral principles in their daily lives.
They were in some manner actuated by a sincere desire to do better work.
And Speculative Freemasonry must have begun when those men first recognised the fact that in order to do
better work they must become better men.
Masonic principles and teachings were not originated by the Masonic Fraternity. It has merely selected
certain virtues which are as old as mankind and which have, through the ages, proved sound and
indispensable to moral and spiritual integrity and to well-ordered society.
Masonry teaches the most practical philosophy if we will but heed the teachings, believe, and have faith in
the virtue of right living.
Masonry is a wise and well-equipped means of enriching our lives.
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DEGREE OF ROYAL ARCH
An applicant for the degrees of Masonry, being thoughtful, careful and intelligent, realises from the forcible
manner in which the lesson is taught him, that something was lost. The lecture on the symbols of the first
three degrees must awaken in him a desire to know the significance and value of that which was lost. So far
as practical results are concerned he need not know, for a substitute was adopted which filled the
requirements of the original. The intelligent seeker after truth is not content to stop there, but soon learns that
the work was not abandoned in consequence of the death of one of the masters. The Capitular Degrees open
up a way by which he can obtain the knowledge which he seeks, and it is but natural that he should apply, no
matter how soon, for admission to more degrees of Masonry. Some say that the first three are the only
degrees of Masonry. This is equivalent to claiming that that which was lost was no part of Masonry, and it is
not necessary that it be known. Masonry is co-existent with the intelligence of man. True our forms of
initiation and advancement and the mode of explaining its symbols are comparatively modern, but they are
the great underlying truths which are and always have been the great palladium of the noblest, most ancient
and profoundly sacred of all institutions. "There is no religion higher than truth," the pursuit of which, during
the dark ages from which we are just emerging, required the strength of the lion, the patience of the ox, the
intelligence of man and the swiftness of the eagle.
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M.W. BRO. ADAM SMITH, P.G.M.
IN MEMORIAM
We mourn the passing of a great and sincere Freemason, 11 January 1969. He was 53 years a Freemason.
M.W. Bro. Adam Smith, P.G.M., was initiated into Freemasonry in Lodge Arrow Kilwinning, No. 86 at
Arrowtown, Central Otago, on 14 August 1916. He joined the Hiram Lodge, No. 46 in Dunedin, was a
foundation member of the Service Lodge, No. 237, 29 March 1922; was installed as Master 16 April 1925,
and was elected an honorary member 22 July 1947.
He was also a foundation member of Lodge Macandrew, No. 343, founded 1949; a foundation member of
the Lodge of Amity, No. 354, founded 1950; and a foundation member of Lodge St. Kilda, No. 362, founded
1951.
M.W. Bro. Smith served as G.D.C. 1929-30, was appointed J.G.W. 1948 and Dep. G.M. 1950, and was
elected Grand Master 1952.
He was a member and Past M.W.S. of the Dunedin Rose Croix Chapter, No. 317, holding the rank of 32°.
A presentation of a 50-year membership jewel was made to him in his mother lodge, Arrow Kilwinning, No.
86 at Arrowtown, Central Otago on 17 September 1966.
He was appointed to the board of the Southern Masonic Association at its formation in 1958, served as
Chairman for three years, and was one of its most enthusiastic members.
He was a great believer in developing the image of Freemasonry outside the Craft and helped develop the
Maryhill Masonic Cottages project which was widely publicised through the Otago newspapers.
Freemasonry was his life interest. He was widely known and well respected throughout New Zealand, was a
strict disciplinarian and insisted on everything being done according to the Book of Constitution and the
bylaws of the lodge and expected ritual work to be performed with dignity and decorum.
He served with the Machine Gun Company of the Otago Regiment during the First World War.
We deeply regret his passing. He will long be remembered as a brother who received the highest honour the
Craft can bestow, the office of Grand Master.—W.W.
AUCKLAND
DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF AUCKLAND, E.C.
An outstanding event in Masonic history was the visit to New Zealand of Rt. Hon. the Earl of Scarbrough,
Pro. Grand Master, and Pro. First Grand Principal of the United Grand Lodge of England, and the Supreme
Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England.
Lord and Lady Scarbrough arrived in Auckland on Tuesday 4 March and flew to Dunedin on the following
Sunday, and finally leaving from Christchurch on Thursday 13 March, en route to Australia where he 1,1 as
attending other important Masonic functions.
Accompanying them was W. Bro. J. K. Newson-Smith, Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, who
officiated very efficiently as Grand Director of Ceremonies at the various Masonic functions where the Earl
of Scarbrough attended.
The reason for the visit of the Pro. Grand Master was to install the District Grand Master designate of
Auckland, the District Grand Master designate of Otago and Southland, and the Grand Superintendent
designate of the North Island of New Zealand.
On Friday 7 March before an attendance of well over 300 Royal Arch Companions in the St. Benedict's
Street Temple, Rt. Hon. the Earl of Scarbrough, Pro. First Grand Principal, installed E. Comp Ivan
Eaglestone Whale, Grand Superintendent of and over the District Grand Chapter of the North Island of New
Zealnad. The Convocation was honoured by the attendance of M.E. Comp. R. A. Lincoln, First Grand
Principal of the Supreme Grand Chapter of New Zealand, accompanied by 23 Grand Chapter Officers; M.E.
Comp L. E. A. Lord, Grand Superintendent, of the South Island of New Zealand; M.E. Comp. A. T. Gore,
Grand Superintendent, New Zealand North, Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland; M.E. Comp. L. S. Judd,
Provincial Grand Superintendent of New Zealand, Supreme Grand Chapter of Ireland.
The ceremony was carried out in a most dignified and impressive manner, and all appreciated the solemnity
of the occasion and the wealth of Masonic tradition that was so beautifully portrayed. E. Comp. T. V. Anson
of Wellington was installed as Second District Grand Principal, and E. Comp. C. G. F. Smith, as Third
District Grand Principal.
In the refectory the toasts were of an outstanding order and the companions were impressed by the dignity,
yet great warmth of the proceedings.
The following night, Rt. Hon. the Earl of Scarbrough, Pro. Grand Master, installed W. Bro. I. E. Whale as
District Grand Master of Auckland, and about 425
brethren attended and joined in the proceedings. In the
absence of the Grand Master, the Deputy Grand
Master, R.W. Bro. G. C. Sim, represented the Grand
Lodge of New Zealand, and 27 Grand Officers
supported him at his entry into the Lodge, including
M.W. Bro. J. A. Redwood, P.G.M. The other
distinguished guests were R.W. Bro. D. A. Munro,
District Grand Master for Canterbury; R.W. Bro. R. J.
Shand-Smith, District Grand Master for Westland and
Nelson; R.W. Bro. T. V. Anson. District Grand Master
for Wellington; W. Bro. E. W. Pick-ford, Deputy
District Grand Master in charge of Otago and
Southland; R.W. Bro. W. C. T. Brunton, Provincial
Grand Master for New Zealand, Grand Lodge of
Ireland; and Bro. J. G. Erne Adams, R.W. District
Grand Master, New Zealand North, Grand Lodge of
Scotland, all of whom were accompanied by Grand
and District Grand Officers. The Lodge Room at St.
Benedict's Street was filled nearly to capacity, and all
joined in a warm welcome to the entrance of the Earl
of Scarbrough.
The excellence of the ceremonial and the solemnity, and dignity of the whole proceedings was a tribute to
the 250 years of existence of the Grand Lodge of England, and the exemplary manner in which the Installing
Master and the Director of Ceremonies carried out their duties was an inspiration to all who were able to
attend the meeting.
W. Bro. A. G. Sibun was installed as Deputy District Grand Master, and W. Bro. W. Fortune was installed as
Assistant District Grand Master.
The proceedings in the refectory were so dignified and friendly that all were impressed by the excellence of
the toasts and replies, and all felt that they were taking an intimate part. The evening concluded on a very
high note and all present will long remember the personality of the Pro. Grand Master and the dignity and
decorum of the Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies.
On the Sunday morning the Earl and Lady Scarbrough attended divine service at the Cathedral Church of St.
Mary's, Parnell, with the District Grand Master, where he read the Lesson, and a large number of brethren,
with their families attended. Following the Service the District Grand Master gave a luncheon to the
distinguished guests from the various Constitutions and at the luncheon the opportunity was taken to give
Lord Scarbrough, Lady Scarbrough and W. Bro. Newson-Smith tokens as a reminder of their visit to
Auckland. Lord Scarbrough in returning thanks, expressed their great appreciation for a memorable stay, of
far too short a time in New Zealand.
Prior to flying to Christchurch a visit was made to the Roskill Masonic Village, and a very interested tour of
inspection was made, which was completed by the planting of an oak tree in remembrance of the visit. At
afternoon tea, in reply to a welcome extended by M.W. Bro. J. A. Redwood, Lord Scarbrough said how
favourably the Roskill Masonic Village compared with similar types of places in England. In fact, the last
home built in England had had many ideas which had been suggested through various visits made to the
Village in Auckland.
A large number of brethren journeyed to the aerodrome to bid farewell to those visitors, who in so short a
time had endeared themselves to those with whom they
had come in contact, and they left with the sincere
wishes of a pleasant sojourn in the southern part of
New Zealand, and, if possible, an early return.—
R.F.N.
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WELLINGTON
W. BRO. HUGH WALLACE'S 50th MASONIC BIRTHDAY
"Although I have this receipt to prove it, it's been my greatest difficulty over the past 40 odd years to
convince new secretaries that I'm financial till the year 1972," said W. Bro. Hugh Wallace as he reminisced
in the refectory at a recent meeting of Whetu-Kairangi Lodge, No. 201 (the occasion being his half century
in the Craft). He went on to explain that soon after joining he answered the call to support an interest-free
loan for the purpose of lodge extension. "I intended it to be a gift," said W. Bro. Wallace, "but lodge thought
otherwise—hence the receipt for lodge dues fully paid till 1972!"
In making the presentation of a 50-year service jewel to Whetu-Kairangi's third recipient, V. Wor. Bro. H.
Girdlestone, Asst. Prov. G.M., turned back the pages to reveal some of W. Bro. Wallace's activities in the
Craft during those years.
Initiated in February 1919, W. Bro. Wallace became honorary member of Victory Lodge, No. 40, Nelson, in
1943, a foundation of Lodge Waikanae, No. 433, in 1916—it was he who prepared all furniture donated to
that lodge by other lodges, and where possible altered and renovated it to match. Master of Whetu-Kairangi
Lodge, No. 201, in 1949. W. Bro. Wallace designed and made that lodge's beautiful tracing boards and
pedestal pillars, also altering existing furniture to match. His prowess as a worker in wood can be seen far
and wide, not the least in the very fine gavels presented by Whetu-Kairangi Lodge to St. John and St. Paul
Lodge, Kent, England. As well as being a past president of the 1949 Masters' Association, W. Bro. Wallace
has also been installed in various other Orders of Freemasonry.
It is interesting to note that about half the attendance at that meeting, which almost reached installation
proportions, comprised P.M.s, of whom 15 or more were members of the 1949 Masters' Association, a
similar number also attending from Waikanae Lodge and included in the 10 past and present officers of G.L.
was M. Wor. Bro. Cuthbert Taylor, P.G.M. —C.E.C.
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CANTERBURY
VISIT OF EARL OF SCARBROUGH, PRO. GRAND MASTER
Christchurch was honoured by an official visit by Most Worshipful Brother the Earl of Scarbrough, K.G.,
Pro. Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England.
The Pro. Grand Master was welcomed at a large gathering of District Grand Lodge by Rt. W. Bro. D. A.
Munro, District Grand Master of Canterbury. Rt. W. Bro. Munro said that the visit of the Earl was an
occasion of great joy to the members of the District of Canterbury, and he thanked the Earl for making the
visit during his tour. He said that the Pro. Grand Master had given 16 years of outstanding leadership in the
Craft.
M.W. Bro. A. H. C. Cavell, P.G.M., conveyed to the Earl of Scarbrough greetings from the Grand Lodge of
New Zealand, and Rt. W. Bro. L. C. H. Suckling, Prov. G.M., gave greetings from the Provincial Grand
Lodge of Canterbury.
The Pro. Grand Master was accompanied by W. Bro. John Weston Smith, Acting Grand Director of
Ceremonies.
Most. W. Bro. the Earl of Scarbrough thanked the brethren for their welcome and said that in England they
do what they can to keep in contact with the Craft in New Zealand. He took the opportunity to tell a few facts
about the Grand Lodge in England. The Craft is still growing and about 12 new Lodges are formed each
year, mostly in England and Wales, but sometimes overseas. At present there are 7,387 lodges on the roll of
Grand Lodge of which 1,700 are in London, and about 5,000 in the Provinces of England and Wales.
Masonry is growing very strong, and they are very particular about agreeing to the formation of new lodges.
In referring to the 250th anniversary of the United Grand Lodge, the Earl said that he thought that before he
left the chair something should be done to show that Freemasons care for the general population. He wanted
to find something striking which would make a considerable impact.
He met Sir Arthur Porritt who made the suggestion that a fund be established for research by the Royal
College of Surgeons. As a result the sum of £560,000 was donated by Freemasons for that purpose. The sum
has been prudently invested and is now worth £600,000. The amount of £30,000 has already been paid over
to the Royal College of Surgeons. Many members of New Zealand Lodges contributed and the Pro. Grand
Master expressed his grateful thanks.
In conclusion, the Most W. Bro. Earl of Scarbrough said that it gave him great pleasure to meet the brethren
of the District Grand Lodge of Canterbury and he extended to them greetings of the Most W. Grand Master,
H.R.H. the Duke of Kent, and of the Officers of the United Grand Lodge of England.
————
THE ASHLEY LODGE, No. 28
INSTALLATION MEETING
Most W. Bro. J. S. Hawker, P.G.M., Rt. W. Bro. R. Hepburn, P.G.W., Rt. W. Bro. E. J. Butcher, P. Prov.
G.M., and Rt. W. Bro. J. W. Vivian, P. Prov. G.M., attended the installation ceremony of W. Bro. Stanley W.
M. Smith, P.G. St., together with a large number of other Grand Lodge Officers, Provincial Grand Lodge
Officers, visitors and members of Ashley Lodge.
The Ceremony of Installation was carried out by V.W. Bro. B. H. Tibbs, Asst. Prov. G.M. The Officers were
invested by W. Bro. L. D. Hawkins, and the address to the brethren was given by Rt. Wor. Bro. Hepburn.
The trumpeter was W. Bro. V. A. G. Aldridge, P. Prov. G.D., who has given very fine service in this capacity
to many lodges during recent years. His trumpet calls are always exquisitely given, and attentively listened to
by those present.
W. Bro. Stanley Smith was previously the Master of the Ashley Lodge in 1943, but shortly after his
Installation on that occasion he left for overseas with the Armed Forces. He was thus unable to attend Lodge
during that year of office. He agreed to accept the office of Master again this year because the Senior
Warden, Bro. W. B. Henderson, was transferred by his firm to Ashburton on promotion.
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LATE W. BRO. RALPH C. LONEY
The death occurred recently of W. Bro. R. C. Loney who was widely known and respected among
Freemasons in North Canterbury. fie had been ill for some time. W. Bro. Loney was initiated in Lodge
Brighton, and later joined Lodge Tawera, Oxford, where he was Master in 1958. On coming to live at Sefton,
W. Bro. Loney joined the Ashley Lodge, Rangiora. He was also a member of the Ashley Royal Arch
Chapter, and the Excelsior Rose Croix Chapter. Among those who attended the funeral were Rt. W. Bro. A.
R. Chambers, G.W., W. Bro. S. W. M. Smith, W.M., Ashley Lodge, V. Ex. Comp. J. F. N. Twose, Z.,
Ashley Chapter and E. and P., Bro. James McMillan, M.W.S., Excelsior Chapter.
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CANTERBURY KILWINNING LODGE, No. 23
Thanks to the hospitality of Canterbury Kilwinning Lodge a somewhat unique event took place when five
brothers whose average age was 75 years, were for the first time in their various Masonic careers enabled to
enter and sit together in a lodge. They were V.W. Bro. Arthur H. Hayman, P.G.C., United Forces Lodge, No.
245, W. Bro. A. E. Hayman, P.M., Epsom Lodge, Bro. E. W. Hayman, Clutha Lodge, and Bros. G. R.
Hayman and G. L. Hayman both of Epsom Lodge.—A.C.F.
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