MANCHESTER UNITY'S WAR CEREMONY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2471, 26 May 1915, Page 4

MANCHESTER UNITY'S WAR CEREMONY

Tho officers of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows have ai ranged that a special war ceremony shall be held each lodge night, commencing punctually at 9 o'clocE The oeremonv_ ivas conducted for the first ume hi New Zealand at the meeting of the Loyal Britannia Lodge, 1.0.0. F. M.U., on Monday evening, 13ro. F. d! Pernn, N.G., presiding. It consists iii an exhortation by the N.G. to the assembled brethren to stand "in honour and remembrance of those who have fiono to fight our country's battles and so safeguard our homes." The N.G. continues: "Especially do our thoughts go out to the .brethren of this lodge, and all other lodges of the Manchester Unity. We earnestly hopo that day will soon dawn when they will bo safely restored to us. To tho wounded and the sick, to the widows and the fatherless, and to all who mourn the loss of dear ones, do we tender our heartfelt sympathy, and in all reverence wo shall gratefully cherish tho memory of those who have fallen. Wo sincerly trust that the time will soon arrive when this earth will enjoy the blessings of peace, when nations will live in perfect harmony, and war shall be 110 more." This is followed by the singing of the hymn, "God , Bless Our ' Native Land," to the tune of "God Savo the Iving," after which the business of the meeting is resumed.