Masonic Ceremonial.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3824, 31 March 1881, Page 2

Masonic Ceremonial.

The ceremonial at the laying of the foundation stone of the Freemason's Hall in Auckland yesterday passed off fairly well, from a Masonic point of view, and appeared a very great source of attraction to the general public. At an early hour Princes street was crowded with welldressed sightseers, and long before the Masonic bodies reached the site of the proposed building on their way to St. Paul's Church, the platform erected for the convenience of lad:es was crowded, and every available place for seeing the proceedings was well filled. The Hon. F. Whitaker gave an excellent address after the stone was laid, speaking as follows :—" He did not presume to be able to teach them, but this was a proper occasion on which to call to their memories certain facts worthy to be remembered, and especially to take a view of our present position. Freemasonry is a very ancient institution ; its origin is lost in the midst of antiquity. Some date it as far back as the patriarchs, others look upon the building of King Solomon's temple at Jerusalem as its starting point, but whatever the date.of its birth there can be no question that it has existed through a long series of years. Masonry found an early home in JSew Zealand; nearly forty years ago —soon, indeed, after the foundation of the colony—a lodge was established in Auckland. It may now be fairly asked, for what object is there such an extensive organisation required, and what is there to justify the expenditure of so much time, trouble, and money ? Let us consider what Freemasonry is : One of the greatest writers on Freemasonry jurisprudence (Dr Oliver) defines it to be "a system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated in symbols," but ib will be better understood by what it does and what it teaches I will first say a few words as to the admission of candidates. We are no propagandists—it is directly contrary to the principles and rules of Freemasonry that any man should be solicited to become a Mason, and before he is allowed to be proposed he has to sign a declaration that he is unbiassed by improper solicitations and uninfluenced by mercenary or other unworthy motives. The qualifications required of a candidate are few but peremptory. He must be a believer in the supreme God, the Father of all, the Great Architect of the universe, thus no atheist is admissible; but we enquire not into his denominational religion. Mahommedans are eligible, and so are the Parsees of India— the latter, indeed, have a million of Masons on their roll. It is true that in our lodges we hold the bible to be the corner stone. Our ceremonies are founded on this basis, and no lodge can be properly held without it. Whenever a lodge meets the Bible is laid open in its midst, and is only closed when the lodge closes. Such, however could not be the case with the Mahommedans and Parsees. On their consciences the Bible would not be binding, but to them the Koran and the Veda take the place of our Bible; and though it be so with them, the Bible has the supreme place in our lodges. A Freemason must be a free man, well recommended . and favourably vouched for; and politics are strictly prohibited in every lodge. Iv every free country Freemasonry has been held in high esteem, and as a convincing proof of the favour with which it is regarded by the Government of our country, there is the remarkable fact that when Europe was convulsed, and laws passed to put down unlawful oaths and secret sooieties, a special exemption was made in favour of the Freemasons, whose loyalty and obedience to the laws of the country have neveA been doubted. The oath administered to a X^reemason is principally to bind him to do good and eschew evil. Now let us examine what are the objects of Freemasonry and what does it teach? It teaches a code of morality and virtue, its object being to improve men's moral nature ; to remind him from time to time of the duties that he owes to God and to his fellow men; it denounces vice and enpouvages virtue. What hjgher and better objects are sought by any human institution ? To the wives and families of Masons, Freemasonry should be especially acceptable. Masonry demands that the Mason should not only proyide for_ his family, but that to the best of his ability he should administer to their happiness, spending a due portion of his time amongst them, and that he should uoL waste his time and 3ubstanue in taverns, or selfishly seek his owu gratification. In short if a niau ia a good mason he should be a good man, and especially a good husband and a good father. Jf any Freemasons fall short of their duties, it is not the fault of the institution, but those who 4o BPt jn Br*ictipe conform to its precepts. Jjet us amend our faults, and seek in practice to act up to our professions for the nearer we follow the requirements of Freemasonry so shall we the beter contribute to our owu happiuess and to that of others.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT