ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 44, 21 February 1905, Page 3

ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.

MASONIC CEREMONY CANCELLED.

The Masonic sservice which was to have been held in connection with the consecration of St. Matthew's Church has been abandoned, in consequence of an objection from Bishop Neligan. The members of the Chora] Society had been nsKed and had consented to give a performance of "The Messiah."' and this has also been dropped. These were both Sxed for Monday. March 0. the day preceding the consecration service. His Lordship, who is in Taranaki. wrote to t riff church authorities yesterday, stating -that he considered that the first service in tho church should he that of csvnsecrn-tion. and that no service should be held prior to that. Since the Masonic service could only take place before the consecration, it had to be abandoned altogether, in deference to the wish of Bishop Neligan. Til? luncheon fixed to follow the consecration service has also been abandoned.

'the Masonic service e&vried out in connection with church buildings is extremely interesting and picturesque, and its aban-loT!rr.fnt will cause peneral re-

grt't. hot only amo p ngst members of the craft, but also among the geneni! public-. The ceremony was c-arriod out on coii)pietkm of the Truro Cathedral, on which Si. Matthew's is designed. It was to include the inspection of the building, the declaration of the manner of its, construction, and the return of tools presented by the Grand Master when the foundation sfrme was lnid. The arrangements for tho service were well forward, and a gathering of 400 Masons was expected.