OPENING OF THE ODD FELLOWS HALL.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 693, 4 December 1852, Page 2

OPENING OF THE ODD FELLOWS HALL.

The ceremonies and festivities connected with this event— so auspicious in ihe history of ibe Lodges of Odd Fellows in Auckland—took place on Wednesday last, according to the announcement to which we formerly called attention. At three o'clock p.m., the Members assembled at the Mechanics' Institute (their old Lodge Room), whence they proceeded to the Masonic Hotel, in Princes-street, where the order of their procession to the Hall was arranged as follows :—: — Baud of lI.M. 58th Regiment. Warden of Loyal Fountain of Friendship Lodge, with Dispensation. "Warden of Loyal Good Intent Lodge, with Dispensation,. Pr.G.M. J. Robinson. D.Pr.G.M. Jas.Derrom. Pr.D.G.M. C.Robinson. P.Pr.D.G.M. Hallamore. P.G. Stichbury. P.G. John Devroin. P.G. Kelly. P.G. Schultz. . N.G. Smith. P.G. Bruce. ' P.S. Weston. P.S. M'Kay. P.V. Cany V.G. Matthews. V.G. Adams. Members of the 4th Degree. Members of the 3rd Degree. Members of the 2nd Degree, Members of the Ist Degree. Honorary Members.

The procession proceeded through Shortland Crescent and Queen-street to the newly erected Hall,, where the Chair was taken by Prov. G. M. Joshua Robinson. After the formal occupation of the Building, there was an adjournment t\\\ half-past 6 o'clock., At that hour the company assembled for the festival of the evening, and the Hall was, soon crowded by members, their families^ guests and visitors. It was calculated that not less than 400 (comprising both sexes and all ranks) were present. Tables were spread with refreshments of various kinds, under the superintendence of Mr. Fielding. The Chair was taken by P.Pr.D.G.M. Thos. C. Hallamore ; after which, P.G. Robt. Schultz delivered the following inaugural address : — The leading object for which we are this evening assembled, is to dedicate a temple to Charity — to celebrate the inauguration of the Republic of Humanity. • It seems appropriate on this particular occasion that something should be said of the origin, progress, and principles of Odd Fellowship. I shall not, however^ detain you by inquiry into the antiquity of the order, os that would not add to its intrinsic merit — give it any greater claim on the affection of its members, or render it more worthy the respect and admiration, of the world. I sha.ll simply confine myself to its introduction into this town and neighbourhood — its continued progress and its present extent :— On the 27th February, 1844, some five or six men assembled in this town for the purpose of organizing the first fcodge of the 1.0.0.F.,M.U. ever established in this province. To the genius of humanity who presided over that humble scene, and foresaw its consequences, it must have appeared as to its original discoverer did the parent rill which gushes from the rocky mountains, and flows in its far meandering pilgrimage, until it swells into the rapid rushing river. Notwithstanding the difficulties we have had to encounter in the introduction of an hitherto unknown principle into an infant colony — notwithstanding the severe loss we have sustained by the desertion of upwards of sixty of our members, enticed by the richness of the Trans-Pacific and

Colonial mines— still can we with pleasure boast of being at present supported by upwards of 200 members, and after defraying all expenses incumbent on the erection of this our humble Hall, •still find onrselves possessed of an overflowing exchequer. Odd Fellowship arose in the necessities of man. Not to add one more star to the constellation of nobility not to plead with fictitious interests, or practice fanciful experiments ; it was formed to deal with substantial life — to administer to real wants. A more practical benevolence was Wanted in the world — toseek out distress — bind up wounds as^uagegrief- — feed the hungry — clothe the naked — educate the orphan— protect the widow — comfort the dying— and bury the dead. Man wanted a closer acquaintance Avith man. For these hallowed purposes our Order first sprang into existence and its course has been cherished by the sunny smiles of gratitude, by the consciousness of duty, and by the blessings of God ! How far have these duties been performed by Odd Fellowship ! How far have these objects been effected? So perfectly ! I answer in a word, that it is almost 'impossible fxir an Odd Fellow to be overwhelmed with calamity without finding succour. If the slanderer's merciless breath strikes him, some honest man stands by to defend his reputation ;— for in this Association men are taught not only to reverence truth, but also to despise the robber of the good name of his fellow man. The Odd Fellow cannot suffer honest poverty -without alleviation. If his hand of labour is paralized at his toil, he is maintained until his muscles grow strong ; and this comes not in grudging charity ; it is his right. His wife and children are not driven into the streets to beg, while he is sick. The dignity of manhood is spared this deep humiliation. In old age he is not despised, he continues a man to the last ; he never becomes a pauper. The Odd Fellow cannot die alone. Brothers stand around him at the final hour, and half the bitterness of death is forgotten in the thought that his brethren will follow him to the grave, that his widow will be cared for, and his orphans protected. The gentle beings are not left without a covert on the heath of time. To enter fully into the praises of our Order, many thousand facts in my possession would justify me in words of exalted eulogy; but it is better that eulogy be breathed, as it has often been, silently into the ear of heaven, with the last prayer of the dying, by the widow over the bier of her husband, by the young orphan over the grave of his father. Turn to our parent land, and you may trace, a few years back, the tender plant of Odd Fellowslit]) with difficulty endeavouring to erect its juvenile head, oppressed on every side by the tares and cares of an opposing world ; that plant has now grown into a majestic tree, and protects beneath its far spreading brandies upwards of 300,000 of her sons, amongst whom can we with pleasure hail upwards of fiity of the most influential members of the British Parliament. Upwards of 300 clergymen of various denominations are enrolled in our cause ; and several thousands j , of the very cream 'of our aristocracy support our banners. 'But while we see with pleasure among our ranks the great, the learned, and the powerful, we feel with proud satisfaction that itis notjto them, '"but to the excellencies of our principles and characteristics of our Order, that weowe our greatness, that their influence, highly beneficial as it is, is not the cause, but the consequence, of the almost boundless merits witSi which the Great Master above has honoured its in the great cause of benevolence and love. Banded together for mutual support and assistance, in health and in sickness alike, influenced by no unworthy motives, pursuing no unworthy objects, using no improper •means, we present to the world a hold and firm phalanx of United Brethren, fearless of its assault, yet anxious to conciliate its approbation. The spirit of Odd Fellowship banishes all selfishness ; it expands the heart in kind feeling and -good will towards our fellow men ; and cherishes 'in us, to others, whether in or out of the Order, a principle of benevolence and affection. In the spirit of Odd Fellowship we blend the energies o I a vast multitude of men, we convey the rays of .hazy twilight, and flame them forth in vocal light. We bind the starry spangle into a central sun. This Hall, whose foundation was laid on the 18th of March last, by the Worshipful the Mayor, Alderman and Councillors of the Corporation of this our City, Avas erected solely by the weekly contributions of the Odd Fellows of Auckland'; and with pleasure do we boast of the example we have set to our brethren in foreign parts : — this being not only the first building of the kind ever 'erected in New Zealand, but also the first in any >ot Her Majesty's colonies in the South Seas. •It-should not seem strange that we have assembled for this exciting festival ; all nations and orders of men have had fheir anniversaries of congratulations. The sons of Abraham have long held their yearly Passover to celebrate the emancipation -of their fathers ; the Greeks held their national games, to immortalize the triumphs of heroism ; nnd the birth of this Province will be celebrated ilirough all time, to perpetuate the memory of the falhers.of this our adopted land. Every creed lias had its temple, and every divinity its worshippers. "Why may we not rear a temple to humanity ? We have endeavoured to blend the beauties of the ■arts of the ancients, In the erection of this our (temple, an&withgrateful and joyous hearts we have •dedicatedii to-day. May this Lodge long continue to flourish uncontaminatcd by any inglorious acition. May its members long continue to regard rthe covenants of their dispensation, sacred and inTiolable, as being of vital importance to their stability. May they long continue to pursue the course of fidelity and united perseverance, effectualy securing the meall« of support in sickness and necessity. Let friendly co-oneration without alloy, without dissent, give additional impulse to every occasion that demands their generosity and beneficence. And when time shall cease to run, — when the very name of Odd Fellow with all things earthly shall haye passed away, when this very edifice shall have crumbled away into its original chaos,-~the pillars upon which It is founded — Friendship, Love and Titimj — shall flourish in immortal and celestial •perfection. Sever*! appropriate toasts were duly honoured and responded to. At a later hour, dancing was commenced and kept up until midnight. The Band of the 58th Regiment played with its usual excellence during- the evening-, and the whole terminated with general good humour and kindly feeling,