CONSECRATION OF THE CANTERBURY KILWINNING LODGE OF F. & A. MASONS, S. CONSTITUTION.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 459, 3 December 1875, Page 4

CONSECRATION OF THE CANTERBURY KILWINNING LODGE OF F. & A. MASONS, S. CONSTITUTION.

For some time there ha 3 been a strong wish amongst Scottish Masons to work under the constitution of their native country, and after many meetings they resolved to apply to the R.W. the Provincial Grand Lodge of New Zealand, S.C., for a dispensation enabling them to open and work. After making due investigation, and being satisfied of the earnestness and integrity of the applicants, the R.W.P.G. of N.Z. granted their petition, and last evening the ceremony of consecrating the lodge and installing officers was performed. A very large number of members whose sympathies were with the applicants came from sister lodges in Christchurch and the neighborhood to be present at the ceremony; Thursday night being chosen as offering them facilities for returning from Lyttelton by the late train. The visiting brethren were met on the platform by the brethren of the Canterbury Kilwinning Lodge, and escorted to the lodge room, at present held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton being at present without a masonic hall in proper repair. The P. Deputy D.G.M.E.C. having been deputed by the R.W.P.G. of N.Z.S.C. to coneecrate the lodge and install the officers, and being ably assisted by brethren chosen by him, the proceedings were carried out with an amount of eclat that has seldom, if ever, been exceeded in Canterbury. The following brethren from Christchurch officiated:—Bro F.W. Thiel, installing officer; Bro J. Baylee, Depute Master; Bro J. Booth, Substitute Master; Bro J. L. Fleming, S.W.; Bro Thos. Stapleton, J.W.; Bro Wm. Clifford, secretary; Bro Geo. Tombs, S.D.; Bro J. C. Watson, J.D.; Bro L. A. Blerig, 8.C.; Bro J. J. Milner, organist; Bro R. Webster, 1.G.; Bro Thos. Shailer, tyler. Choir—Bro A. C. Bell, Bro R. BWalcot, Bro F. Hobbs, Bro O. J. Hodge. The lodge was opened in due form, the chaplain offering prayer.

Musijal honours—Bo mote it be. Grand honors. Psalm cxxxiii. was then sung. 1. Behold, how good and how pleasant it ia for brethren to dwell together in unity. 2. It is like the precious ointment upon the head that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard ; that went down to the skirts of his garments. 3. As the dew of TTermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Ziun, for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. Grand honors. Bro P Rcutoul delivered an oration on the "Nature and Objects of Masonry." ANTHEM The glorious majesty of the Lord our God be upon us. Prosper thou the work of our hands upon us, O prosper thou our handy work. So mote it be. The Secretary read the Dispensation and Commission to constitute. The Substitute Master presented jewels, collars, &c, to the installing officer. The Depute Master presented W.M. Elect Bro Alex. Taylor. The W.M. Elect presented his officers. The Secretary read minutes of preliminary meetings. The following Psalm was then chanted:—O come, let us sing uuto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving ; and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God; and a great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the strength of the hills is His also. The sea is His and He made it; and His hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, For He is our God ; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Glory be to God on high. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. So mote it be. The Chaplain then offered prayer (first part of dedication), all the brethren kneeling. Musical response—As it was in the beginning, &c. Ho mote it be, Sanctus—Holy ! Holy ! Holy ! Lord God Almighty. Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy Glory. Glory be to Thee O Lord, Glory be to Thee O Lord Most Holy, Lord God Almighty. The officers then formed procession—solemn music—first time round. The Substitute Master scattered corn, and dedicated the Lodge to Masonry. ODE. Hail! Masonry divine ! Glory of ages shine, Long may'st thou reign, Where'er thy Lodges stand, May they have great command, And always grace the land ; Thou art divine! Great fabric ! still arise And grace the azure Bkies Great are thy schemes ! Thy noble orders are Matchless beyond compare, No art with thee can share : Thou art divine! Hiram, the architect. Did all the craft direct, How they should build ; Solomon, great Israel's king, Did mighty blessings bring, And left us cause to sing, Hail! Boyal Art! Grand honors. Second procession—The Senior warden poured, out wine.

DEDICATION TO VIRTUE. Come holy virtue, by whose aid In heavenward steps we long to tread, Bring Love, bring truth, bring Friendship here, Bring Peace and Unity sincere. Grand honors. Third procession The Junior Warden poured out oil. DEDICATION TO UNIVERSAL BENEVOLENCE. Come Charity with goodness crowned, Encircle in thy heavenly robe, Diffuse thy blessings all around, To every corner of the globe. Grand honors. The Installing Officer took the censer once round and censed the Lodge. The Chaplain offered dedication prayer. (Second portion,) Musical reponse—Ag it was, &c. So mote it be. Grand honors. Solemn music, during which the brethren marched round the Lodge and did homage to the Installing Officer. The Director of Ceremonies proclaimed the Lodge. Musical response—So mote it be. The Chaplain read 2nd Chronicles, chap. vi, v 12, 14, 17 to 21, 33 middle, 41 ; chap. vii, v 1,3, 12,18. ANTHEM. To Heaven’s High Architect all praise, all gratitude be given : who deigns the human soul to raise by mystic secret sprung from Heaven. Sound loud the great Jehovah’s praise, to him the Dome, the Temple raise. Grand honors. This concluded the ceremony of Consecration and Constitution. The following officers being elected were duly installed in their respective chairs : R.W., Bro Alex. Taylor ; S.W., Bro Milne ; J.W,, Bro Hodge; S.D,, Bro W. Austin; J.D., Bro J. Dunlop ; J.G., Bro P. Lindsay ; 0.G., Bro Zealander ; treasurer, Bro Duff ; secretary, Bro J. P. Parker. Several candidates were initiated, and the lodge was then closed in the usual manner. Owing to the exertions of the choir, the musical portion of the ceremony was a great success, Bro Hobbs and his confreres evidently having taken great pains with the music. The brethren then adjourned to Brother Burnip’s, Canterbury Hotel, where an excellent dinner was partaken of. The visitors from Christchurch proceeded to town by the 11.30 p.m. train.