MASONIC SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1922, Page 2

MASONIC SERVICE.

GATHERING AT WHITELEY CHURCH. A very successful and impressive parade of members of the New Plymouth Masonic Lodges was held at Whiteley Church on Sunday evening. The centre of the chbrch was reserved for members of the Order, and there were upwards of 100 present, including members of the De Burgh Adams, Ngamotu, and Egmont, and other lodges. All other parts of the church were crowded with a congregation which entered very heartily and devotedly into the service. Brother the Rev. J. F. Martin, chaplain of the Egmont Lodge, conducted the service, and extended a welcome to all the visitors, including Mr. W. E. Johnson, who came with credentials from the Grand Lodge of Ohio. Associated with Bro. Martin were W.M. Bro. W. F. Brooking (De Burgh Adams) and W.M. Bro. R. H. Rockell (Ngamotu), who assisted in the service by reading the Lessons. An address was given on the high principles of Freemasonry, in the course of which Bro. Martin said there was a very real bond between Masonry and Methodism, and that in the Old Land there was a Chapter composed entirely of ministers of the Methodist Church. The music for the service was impressively led by a choir and orchestra of members of the craft, assisted by the men of Whiteley Choir, under the direction of Bro. F. W. G. M'Leod. The ancient form of the “Amen” to the hymns and the Masonic Vesper were features of the singing. The Melody Four sang a quarette, and solos were sung by Bros. W. Smith (Inglewood) and B. P. Bellringer.