"LODGE OF SORROW"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 301, 16 September 1919, Page 6

"LODGE OF SORROW"

1.0.1. MOURNS DECEASED SOLDJERMEMBEKS. Wellington District Grand Lodge No. 1 of the Loyal Orange Institution of New Zealand ou Sunday afternoon held a "lodge of sorrow" in memory of brethren who made the supremo sacrifice in the Great War. The ceremony was held in the Wesley Church, Taranaki Street, under tho presidency of Kight'Worshipful Grand Master J. S. Dickson, M.P. Members of the institution entered the church in procession, while Mr. 11. Temple White played an organ voluntary. Tho ceremonial 'comprised 1 the singing of hymns and tho performance of symbolio rites. Mrs. H. if. Newton delivered the solo "0 Diviiio Redeemer" (Gounod), and other impressive items"' were tno sounding of "The Last Post" by Privates AY. Vino and Roberts, mid the rendering by Mr. Temple-White of Chopin's Dead March.

Eov. Bro. G. Knowles-Smith (Grand Chaplain) delivered an address based upon the prayer of Elisha: "Open tho young man's eyes that lie may see." The speaker pleaded for a larger vision than that which took account merely of the physical sufferings of the soldiers. Tho spirit of solf-sacrihco and scrvico for others which had marked their response to tho Empire's call had brought the soldiers into sympathy with tho spirit of Jesus Christ. Such expression of actual service was of far greater weight than intellectual assent to a creed. Tho highest thought of eternal welfare, as taught bv Christ, was service, and for this service they had surely been equipped by their devotion to their earthly dutv. Rather than think of a dead or mangled body, tho friends of a deceased soldier should think of a spirit liberated and enjoying larger activities and fuller service. Tho meeting closed with tho pronouncement of tho benediction and the singing of tho National Anthem. Among those prosent by invitation were the Hon. D. 11. Guthrie, tho Hon, W. Nosworthy, tho Hon. J. B. Hine, the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luko), and Councillor Bennett. ~