LODGE SIR WALTER SCOTT.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1776, 11 September 1874, Page 2

LODGE SIR WALTER SCOTT.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.

According to announcement, the soiree in connection with the Sir Walter Scott Lodge of Freemaspns was held last night in the Academy of Music. As was anticipated the affair was a \most complete suocess in every respect. The body of, the Hall was occupied with rows of tables, upon which were placed all the delicacies, which the most fastidious heart could wish for; and these excellencies were done full justice to by j the numerous assemblage of ladies and gentlemen present. The presidential seat was occupied by Bro. Wm. McCullough, R.W.M., Lodge Sir Walter Scott, supported by Bro. S. Young, W.M., Lodge of Light, 1.C., and Bros. Dewar, P.M., and Brodie, P.M.; also J. Sheehan,.Esq.,M.H.B., Provincial Secretary, and Bro. W. Kelly, M.H.R., Lodge Waitemata, E.C., Auckland. The services of a very able string band had been secured for the occasion, and a number of admirable selections were given during the disposition of the good things aforementioned. •:.'.'. , ■..■-■

The Chairman, in opening the latter part of the proceedings, made some humorous remarks respecting the prejudice entertained against Masonic secrets by the ladies, and Masons' wives in particular. It was in order that ..the ladies might bo present that the Lodge* Sir Walter Scott had determined to celebrate their anniversary by a soiree ; and though the speeches which would be delivered during the evening might not satisfy their curiosity, they would at least throw some light "on-the- subject. Be concluded by stating that he would not occupy their time, as several gentlemen had been put down for speeches. Part song—'? May Carol"—Choir. Song—" The Bonnie Hills o' Scotland" —Bro.,,Wright, admirably'rendered, and received great applause. Bro. Dewar said the task allotted to him was to give an account of the progress of the Lodge from the time of its inauguration; and as he had been connected with it from that time, and had watched its early struggles, he was perhaps the best person to. do it. Bro. Dewar then proceeded to make a very,interesting statement as regards the difficulties which had been contended with, and the manner in which the members had steadily worked to; raise a structure which now conferred credit upon them, the workmen.

Song and chorus—" Help one another " Mr. P. Norbury.

Bro. Hopcraft said the" speech which had been allotted to him—lo accupy a period of ten minutes—was'upon the subject of " Masonic Symbols." As this was a subject which had been variously treated by eminent men, who had devoted to it years of laborious research,. it was scarcely to be expected thsffc he could compress the matter into a few minutes; and would therefore be rather confined in his treatise. A very common, and yet significant symbol was the white gloves worn by Masons ,in the Lodge : they reminded the Masons of the necessity for observing purity—of a pure heart and clean hands. He might tell them (on the authority of an able brother) that according to the French rite of Masonry each apprentice on initiation was presented with two pairs of these gloves—one for himself, and one for his sweetheart; perhaps some of the ladies would approve of, that practice being adopted by the Sir Walter Scott Lodge, in order that they might occasionally appear in one of the symbols of the Order. The symbol most familiarised to all was the apron. It was a badge of innocence, and a bond of friendship-"-more ancient and honorable than any of the orders so highly prized by the illustrious ones of the earth bestowed, at the caprice of '.kings'.-. They had one symbol, which all •should respect, the Bible. They regarded it as the will of God, and were always desirous that its light should be diffused amongst the brethren. After dwelling upon the moral influence exercised by the

latter symbol, he said there was one other, with which he would close his address, namely, the accacia, which was only worn on solemn occasions; at a funeral of a brother the brethren carried each a sprig of accacia to deposit on the coffin of the dead ; it was a symbol which indicated the belief in the immortality of the soul. Concluding, he said, as the order progressed with the ago in which they lived they (the people) would learn more of Masonry, and the more they learnt the more they would appreciate the aims and objects of the Society, which was not for a day, but for all time. .

Song—"Jessie the Flower o' Dumblane"—Bro. Airy; and Trio—" Sweet is the breath of the morning"—Bros. Airy, Wright, and Mackay. Bro. Carpenter said the subject entrusted to him, though not of the greatest importance in Freemasonry, was, nevertheless important, namely, the checkwords of Masonry. He was not permitted to tell what they were actually, but would indicate the manner in which they were used. In physics simple causes led to large effects ; and the daily occurences of the busy world in which they lived brought to their minds these little checkwords, which, no matter how simple in themselves, helped to strengthen the; bond of union between the brethren; helped to elevate them to excellence and worthy ambition, and created a fast friendship between all of the order no matter how different the station occupied by the members. Such desires were a paramount duty with them; without such desires — avoiding all ill-feeling, deceit, and hypocrisy—they could not be good masons. Those people who adhered to this in their, work of life need have no fear of their work being rejected by the great Architect. Thua these checkwords always reminded them forcibly of duty—restrained them from bad impulses ; and he who was most liable to yield to evil promptings was reminded by these whisperings of the wrong. Song—"Thou art so near and yet so far " —-Bro. White, who received an encore ; song " Who deeply drinki of wine" —Bro. Trewheela.

The Rev.JJ. Hill, Chaplain of the Lodge Sir Walter Scott, speaking on the subject of Masonic jewels, said: In all ages, object^in the visible world of n>atter have been taken as emblems of the powers and dispositions in the invisible world of mind. Not only in the creations of poetry, but in the reasonings of philosophy things tangible and familiar are set forth as representations of mental faculties and emotions. In nothing is this tracing of resemblance carried so far as in the science of Freemasonry. Its foundation is in figure. In the wonders of creation, in the proportions of architecture, in the discoveries of art it finds its material from which to draw the precepts and principles which should guide men in their moral and religious life. In harmony with this its very essence, Freemasonry furnishes to its chief officers jewels; not for the purpose of merely adorning the person, but of calling to their minds and hearts ..the high and holy' duties which in their several vocations they have to discharge. But in the fuller and more minute development of the system of figure and resemblance, Freemasonry takes the word jewel, and without any corresponding ornament on the person, discovers and inculcates features of character arid dispositions of heart which are highly worthy of the name. Apart from all visible decorations, trinkets, or ornaments, Freemasonry has jewels which are more beautiful than those that sparkle on the brow of kings, or adorn the loveliness of woman. • The first Masonic jewel is a listening ear —a listening ear. Not the ear of the curious, eager to gather news of others, or catch the secrets which it should not know; but the ear that is open to hear and to learn the revelations of wisdom and of science. Not easily acquired are the stores and the treasures of Freemasonry. It has a history ancient and broad, resemblances nnmeroxis arid minute, principles applicable to all the relationships of life, and duties of the highest and holiest character. Into its mysteries every brother must look; familiar with its benefits every brother must become. Hence at the meetings of the lodge when these are explained there must be a listening ear. Nor is it only the instructions of the wise and experienced in Masonry that must be heard. Ever and anon there comes to us in this world of sorrow the cry of the suffering. Not to that cry must a brother Mason ever turn*a deaf ear. Nay, captivating as the revelations of knowledge must be, a word for help must reach the ear first, and secure attention. If Freemasonry, then, contains so much to be learned; and if the cry of a worthy and distressed brother is often to be heard, what a bright jewel to the character does Freemasonry give in a listening ear. But incomplete would that adornment be without another corresponding jewel—even that of a silent tongue. The second Masonic jewel is a silent tongue. Not that a Mason shall not speak out against the wrongdoings of vice, the abuse of power, the oppression of tyrranny. Not that a Mason shall not speak out when a brother is grievously wronged, or the enemies of Masonry in their malice and ignoranca condemn it. In circumstances like these, the tongue even of the most timorous and diffident must be unloosed —the words of remonstrance and dispproval uttered. But the tongue must be silent whea the weaknesses of a brother are the subject of remark, and silent on Masonic mysteries when those not connected with the craft are present. The first silence takes away the force of censoriousness in which the. world delights; the second secures inviolate those secrets by Trhich. the brethren recognise each other, and by which they are separated from the outside world. And, this other jewel of a ailent tongue 13 all tho more likely to

exist, the more the first—a listening ear— is characteristic of a brother. The more ■wisdom or knowledge the mind possesses, not the more but the less does the tongue declare. Yea, it is a part, of the highest wi dom, an indication of the best of knowledge to be silent when duty demands it. Often difficult is silence, but on that very account all the more an ornament is it when it is appropriate and becoming. Well, therefore, may Masonry seek to give to all who are its members this second bright jewel-—a silent tongue. Yet would not even this jewel, associated with the first, be of sure account without a third —a faithful heart. This is tfie third Masonic • jewel—a faithful heart. What guarantee can there be that the ear will listen and the tongue be silent ? "We have it in a fathful heart. Not a fouler ■pot on human nature can there be than treachery. It lurks in the false friend, the hyprocrite, the traitor; it gives pain to the innocent breast, and force and point to the dagger of the assasin. But the blacker the wickedness, the brighter the opposing virtue. Noble and precious in a treacherous, heartless world is fidelity. The very word is music to the ear, support to the heart, sunshine to the path. Even in crime we admire it. How much more so when associated with righteousness, and truth 2 It is a mother's strength and a child's honor; it is woman's highest and noblest equality, and man's highest and holiest aim. And it is the most cohspiciuous feature in Masonry —the feature most recognised and acknowledged by the world. Hare Masons not been faithful to the secrets of the system* faithful to each other's secrets and interests; faithful to their relatives when sorrow smote the heart and enehrouded the dwellings in gloom ? Have not the affluent remembered the poor, and the strong the weak; have not monarchs hailed a brother even though he was in rags ; and has not the magic power of Masonic fidelity been felt even in the din and strife of the field of battle P Then, in addition to this fidelity to principle and to the brotherhood, Freemasonry demands the highest fidelity of all—fidelity to God. Witii the details of religious creeds, with the difference of religious dogmas, Freemasonry does not intermeddle. These it leaves to the enlightened consciences of its members. But on the broad basis of responsibility to God, and by the standard of revealed truth, it demands that the solemn duties of religion shall be constantly, punctually, and earnestly performed. If such, then, be the adornments which Masonry seeks to give to the minds, the hearts, the lives of its members—a listening ear, a silent tongue, a faithful heart—let the calumny of its enemies cease; let the breasts of its friends rejoice. 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 head ; and not to soil the wreath, or dim the lustre of that crown their hearts sincerely seek. Freemasons : Down through ages long gone by have come to you these jewels. In the dust the ashes of those who wore 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 adorned by them. Then still undimmed you will hand them down to those in many a clime, who, for ike diminution of human sorrow and the increase of hnman joy, shall defend, maintain, and advance the noble science of Freemasonry when you have passed away

Song—' Northev.

•" Two in the morning"—Bro.

Bro. Hollis addressed the meeting on the subject of Masonic Ornaments in place of Bro. Rowe. He said : On entering this room I was solicited to address you on the subject selected for JJro. Kowe in the programme. I come before you with little thought and less preparation, and if I ask your kind indulgence for my shortcomings, I feel assured I shall not plead in vain. The subject is Masonic ornaments, not those made of gold or silver and precious stones, but. the higher and more becoming decorations of the human heart — benevolence and charity. Masonry is essentially a benevolent institution; its ramifications, extending from the Indus to the Pole, and to almost every clime on the habitable globe, affords its members the opportunity of making benevolence and charity almost universal. These are among the first principles inculcated in the young Mason. JN^ot alone should he assist his fellows of the craft, but hold out the helping hand to every suffering child of humanity. Should a poor wanderer from his lodge and the land of his birth find himself alone and distressed in a foreign land, he has but to apply to a Masonic Lodge, should haply one be there, or, failing that, make known his circumstances even to a few brethren, and relief and succour would be at once administered, and means found to restore the exile to his home and kindred. In such a manner are these mental adornments exhibited by Freemasonry. In other ways, too, is the theory of benevolence and charity reduced to a large practical effect. I allude with pride to those beautiful structures which adorn our native land, raised and supported by the affluent charity of Freemasons Schools, colleges, and almshouses, are studded throughout the country. In the first the children of Freemasons are gratuitously educated; thel second are devoted to the training of sons and daughters of Masons to enable them to fill their respective stations in life with advantage to themselves, and with credit to their connections; while the last is placed at the disposal of the aged and decayed where the remnant of their life is passed in ease and comfort. These noble institutions are among- the proudest monuments, as. examples .of the benevolence and charity of Freemasons. ..< I will not further detain you.

Mr. J. Sheehan said there were two excuses usually resorted to when persons were called upon to address a meeting— oue was their being unaccustomed to public speaking, and the other, the very short notice. He could not allege the first of these, after five months'good hard practice. The Chairman had called upon him to make a semi-official declaration, but before doing so he would take the opportunity of making a few remarks on the honorable and ancient craft. He had listened to the addresses delivered during the evening with a great amount of plea- ■ sure and no little edification. He then referred to the benefits of the institution, and the wide field of its action for good. He felt, however, that a timo would come when the work of Masonry would cease—■ when all men would be united in friendship and practised that injunction of the sacred law, " Love thy neighbor as thyself.'' Mr. Sheehan then paid a compliment to Masons' wives and sweethearts by describing them as bright jewels which the speakers had forgotten to mention. He then made the communication which he had been requested to make by the Chairman—to ask the ladies to retire while preparations were being made for the dance. '?wK " Auld Lang Sjne " was then given by the choir, and the chorus was heartily taken up by the company, at the conclusion of which a short interval took place to allow of the room being cleared. The tables which had been loaded with good things at an early hour of the evening were removed and the floor prepared for dancing. About half-past tea o'clock the ball commenced and a programme of over a dozen dances was gone through with much spirit and apparent enjoyment by a company even larger than that at the soiree. Thus concluded a very successful gathering,, creditable to the lodge and to the committee to whom was entrusted the work of making all the arrangements.