FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR. LAMBERT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5183, 1 November 1877, Page 2

FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR. LAMBERT.

The remains of the late Mr. Robert Lam- : bert were interred in the Wellington Cemetery yesterday. A large number assembled to follow the deceased to the grave. The various lodges met at the Masonic Hall, in Boul-cott-street, and proceeded in the regalia of their respective lodges to the late residence of the deceased gentleman, in Sydney-street. The following was the order in which the - procession marched to the cemetery:— District Grand Tyler. Visiting Brethren from other Constitutions. r Waterloo Lodge, No. 463, E.O. Tyler and Inner Guard. ' Stewards. Master Masons. Secretary and Treasurer. Senior and Junior Deacons. Deputy Grand Master (parrying' the Volume of the Holy Law). Past Master. Eight 'Worshipful Master. Brethren of the English Constitution, (The Wellington and Pacilio Lodges marched in the ■ same order as the preceding lodge.) Grand Lodge. North Island, E.C. District Grand Steward. . Pursuivant. Organist. Sword Bearer. Deacon. Secretary, Treasurer. Chaplain. Wardens. Pall Bearers. The Costxn. Pall Bearers. Eight Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master Toxward. Private Friends of Deceased and the Public. On arriving at the gate of the cemetery theprocession formed on each side to allow the coffin to be borne down the centre to th* mortuary chapel. The Rev. B. W. Harvey read the English service for the dead. The mortal remains were then removed and lowered into the grave. The Kev. Brother Nicholls performed the service for the dead according to the Masonic rites. Brother P.M. Woodward then delivered a funeral oration as follows;—Brethren,—The present occasion presents to our view a striking instance of the uncertainty of life, and demonstrates the vanity of human pursuits. When last X had the honor of joining with you in a funeral service it was to the memory of our then lately deceased Grand Master the Earl of Zetland. Now, while no one would have been less likely than. Robert Lambert to have pronounced his name in the same sentence with that of the puissant earl, yet, as in Masonry there ■ are lesser as well as greater lights, X feel that I shall not be gainsaid when I assert that of the lesser lights few shone more brightly, and none gaveforth a clearer or more consistent ray thanour brother who has departed. Eor nearly thirty years I have had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and can now unhesitatingly say that which is the most honorable eulogy that can be pronounced upon any man, —the longerand the better he was known, the more highly was he esteemed and respected. What Masonry owed to him none even here can tell, though many will cherish for long years to come the memory of what he was. But the sprig of acacia which we reverently place on his grave is not the emblem of death, but of young budding life. We say “He is dead,” but really it is that the Great Architect of the Universe has called him to the grand lodge above. His body is buried in peace, but his soul liveth for evermore. Let us then so follow in his footsteps that when the call shall come, as it will come for us, the “ bright morning star,” which ever “ brings light and salvation,” may so illumine the last dark passage that we may pass through it unfearing and unharmed, and enter those glorious mansions where the greater—nay, the greatest light—shall shine with unwavering and eternal glory. I stand before no common assembly, but in the presence of those who have known the departed as a brother ; and whilst we feel - that he will not return to us, but thatwe shall go to him, let us learn so to live, each in our several sphere and. station, that we at last may hear the Master say “ Well done good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”—So mote it be. At the conclusion of the oration the brethren passed round the grave in due order, dropping into the grave a sprig of acacia. The procession then re formed and returned to the Masonic Hall. . _____