MASONIC.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2259, 25 May 1881, Page 3

MASONIC.

The ceremony of laying tho foundation stone of tho new hall for the Canterbury Kilwinning Lodge took place at Lyttelton yesterday, and drew together one of tho largest assemblage of Masons that has ever been collected in Canterbury. The various constitutions came forward as one to make tho ceremony a success, and certainly they succeeded moat entirely. The brethren assembled at the temporary Lodge-room, and were formed up in order of Lodges, those represented being the Canterbury, Conyers, Unanimity Lodge of Concord (Popanui), Lincoln, Robert Barns, St. Clair Kilwinning, Canterbury Kilwinning, together with a number of sojourning brethren. Tho District Grand Lodge of Canterbury, E. 0., was represented by R.W. District Grand Master Bro. Donald.

The District Grand Lodge having been opened by Acting Deputy District G.M. funder the Scotch constitution) Bro, Rsv. James Hill, and, the dispensation read, tho brethren joined in procession as follows : W.M. and officers Lodge of Coco >rd, Conyers Lodge, Lincoln, Canterbury Unanimity, Robert Burns, St. Clair Kilwinning, Canterbury Kilwinning. The District Grand Lodge officers including the R.W.D.O M. of the English constitution, Bro. W. Donald, brought up the rear of the procession. On arriving at the site the brethren opened outright and left and allowed the Grand Lodge officers to come up between. The ceremony of loying the stone was performed by Bro. the Rev. das. Hill, who on tho occasion acted aa Diat. Deputy Grand Master of the S.O. On arrival at tho site a hymn was sung by tho choir, under tho direction of Bro, Wiggins as organist, and prayer was then offered by Bros, the Revs. James Hill and Townsend. The stone was then lowered to its place with the usual Masonic ceremonies, and corn, wine, and oil poured thereon, in accordance with ancient custom. The stone having been duly proved by the R.W.M., senior and junior wardens, tho R.W, District G.M. Bro. James Hill, declared the stone well and truly laid. A very handsome silver trowsl, commemorative of tho event, and bearing a suitable inscription, manufactured by Bro. Sandltien, was presented to Bro, Hill by tho lodge as a memento of the occasion. The stone having been laid, The Acting-Deputy District G.M. Bro. Rev. James Hill then delivered the following address !—Ladies and Gentlemen and Brethren, I am sure that it is with real gladness of heart that the members of the Canterbury Kilwinning Lodge in Lyttelton, and the members of the other Masonic Lodges represented here to-day, have witnessed the ceremony that has now been performed ; and from the cumber of ladies and of others not belonging to the Masonio body that are present, it is evident that the ceremony has not been without interest to them. Nor is this difficult to be understood. The progress of Freemasonry is in harmony with the progress of humanity, and the laying of tho foundation stone of a lodge-room, as well as everything that is fitted to advance the craft, may well be regarded with interest by all who rejoice in the enlightenment of the human mind and the happiness of the human heart. For Freemasonry is founded on two great principles than which nothing is more intimately associated with the welfare and peace of the human race over the world. These principles are love and fidelity. Freemasonry is founded on love, and as is light in the physical world, so is love in the moral world. Love chases away darkness and fills the hearts of God’s creatures with gladness. Its path is sunshine, its sounds are melody, and its institutions are the noblest palaces that have been reared by the hands of men. It has an arm for the oppressed, a shield for the fallen, a word for the weary. It stops the breath of calumny, checks tho risings of wrath, and whispers be at peace. None are so high as to be above its influence ; none so low as to be beneath its notice. It has blessings for kings, and its joys are in the homes of the poorest. There is not a wound but it can soothe and heal; not a tear but it can wipe away. Down to the lowest strata of society it has gone, enlightening the ignorant, feeding tho hungry, clothing the naked, and touching the hearts of the moat hardened and vicious ; and over the wide ocean it has sent to tho most distant lands its richest bounties. Yes ; cold-hearted as this world is, there are still proofs that love reigns, and that everywhere its triumphs are peace and joy. And love is one of the chief characteristics in that institution whose interests have brought us together to-day ; and love, not as a mere sentiment to be admired in the mind, but as a principle to move the heart and influence the life. Composed of men of all ranks and countries, and of all political and religious creeds, the brotherhood are under solemn obligations to cherish love to each other, to render counsel, sympathy and succour in times of difficulty and danger ; and to manifest to all mankind tho spirit of charity and peace. And successfully has this object been attained, of this as of every other institution in the world it is true that practice has come for short of precept—still fairly successfully has this object been attained. The charitable institutions of Freemasonry are before the world. It has often lightened the burden of the afflicted and smoothed the path of the aged. It has often received the widow’s blessing and the orphan’s prayers. Through all its symbols, and seorets, and ceremonies, there runs tho golden thread of the lesson of love. Corresponding with that principle of love is the other principle of fidelity. Every brother is charged to keep within his breast a faithful heart. What is more beautiful than fidelity. Not a fouler blot on human nature can there be than treachery. It lurks in the false friend, tho hypocrite, the traitor; it gives pain to the innocent breast, and force and point to the dagger of the assassin. But tho blacker the wickedness the brighter the opposing virtue. Noble and precious in a treacherous world is fidelity. The word is music to the ear and support to the heart. Even in crime we admire it, how much more so when associated with righteousness and truth. It is a mother’s strength and a child’s honor; it is woman’s highest and noblest quality, and man’s highest and holiest aim. And this fidelity is one of the most conspicuous features in Masonry; the feature most recognised and acknowledged by the world. Have Masons not been faithful to the secrets of the system; faithful to each other’s secrets and interests, and faithful to their relatives when sorrow emote tho heart and enshrouded the dwelling in gloom. Have not the affluent remembered the poor, and tho strong the weak ? Have not monarchs hailed a brother though clad in rags, and has net the magic power of Masonic fidelity been felt even amid the din and strife of tho battlefield. Yet more. Freemasonry demands the highest fidelity of all—fidelity to God. On the broad basis of responsibility and the standard of revealed truth, it demands that the sacred duties of religion shall not be forgotten, but earnestly discharged. Being based then on these two great and grand

principles, it is not unreasonable or inappropriate that a community should take an interest in the advancement of the craft, and I am sure it is a delight to the hearts of the brethren to see so many of this community present to-day. And lot it bo hoped that this ceremony shall give to those who are Masons a clearer view and a firmer hold of their principles, so that they may prove to the world that Masonic love and Masonic fidelity are not mere shadows, but substance ; not a mere name, but a reality. Proud is the victor when the laurel wreath is twined around his brow, and the monarch when the crown of a mighty nation is put upon his bead ; and not to soil the wreath or dim the lustre of the crown their hearts sincerely seek. Freemasons, down through long ages have come to you these bright and precious jewels—love and fidelity. la the dust the ashes of many who once wore them and were true to them long have lain, but the jewels are as bright and precious as ever. Keep them, prize them, wear them ; let your hearts and lives be ever adorned by them. Then, still undimmed, it shall be yours to hand them down to those in many a clime, who, for the diminution of human sorrow and the increase

of human joy, shall defend, maintain, and advance the noble science of Freemasonry when you shall have passed away. May the edifice to be erected hero be successfully dedicated to the highest interest of Masonry, and from it may there ever abundantly extend the principles of the institution to all the brethren; and, not to them only, but to all mankind. So mote it be. The procession then returned in inverted order to the lodge-room, where District Grand Lodge was duly closed. An adjournment was mode to the Church of England schoolroom, whore an excellent banquet was served. _ The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to, the principal sentiment being that of pleasure at the commingling of the Constitutions in one great b°dy._ The arrangements for the procession were in the hands of Past-Master Bro. Taylor, who discharged the onerous duty well, and yesterday will be a red letter day in the annals of Masonry here.