HOPE OF WAIKATO LODGE, I.O.G.T. Testimonial to Mr. C.O. Montrose.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 544, 13 November 1875, Page 2

HOPE OF WAIKATO LODGE, 1.0. G.T. Testimonial to Mr. C.O. Montrose.

There waa a very large meeting of tb« mem* bers of thii lodge on Thursday evtniDg hat, for th« purposo of preheating * testimonial t* f Bio 0. O. MonttOiß, Deputy Grand Worthy Chief Templar of tbe Waikato Diitrict, prior to hit departure from Hamilton for Auckland th» following day. Abont thirty visitors from the Ngiruawahia, Cambridge, and Queen's Bedoubt Lodges were present, and altogether about 100 members were in a( tendance. On the motion being carried that the ordinary business should ba suspended for the evening, B-o C. K. ! Maiden, Ohisf Templar, made a few remarks relative to the approaching departure of Bro Moutrose. He greatly regretted the ciroumstanees which deprived tfie lodge of the service* of that gentleman. His career both in and out of tha lodge had been one of usefulness t» tbe order, and it was chiefly owing to the earnejtnesa and zeal of Bro Montrose that their lodge was in the prosperous condition they now saw it. On behalf of the officers and members of the Hamilton ' lodge he bad much pleasure in presenting him , with the following testimonial : — " To Bro 0. O. Montrow.'D.G. W.O.T — Dear Sir and Brother, — We, tbe officer* aad members of the Hope of Waikato Lodge, 1.0.Gr.T., in presenting you with this address, wish to convey to you our appreciation of your real and devotion to the cause of Good Templary, and the high, esteem we enterUin for Tour prirate and public character. We could not allow you to depart from amongst us without assuring you that we hare beheld with unmixsd pleasure your career of usefulness in this district, and while rfegreting the approaching departure of yourself aad Sitter Montrose from our midst, we beg to assure you tbat our heartfelt wishes and esteem go with yon and youri. We wish you and Sister Montrose every success in the future'. — We remain, dear sir, yours fraternally. Signed by ' the officers, on behalf of the members, of tko Hope of Waik*to Lodge. Hamilton, November 11th, 1875." Bro Montrose in reply said:— Worthy Chief Trmplar, Brothers and Sisters, I came hero thu ereuwg qwite unprepared to say anything more than to giro a few parting words of advice to the members of tbe lodge I a<n leaving. This U the first address I hare ever receired in ray life, and I a»sure you T feel deeply the kindness you have a .own me. Ido uot merit this great token of e«teem which you have to-ni^ht bestowed upou me, for in terring this lodge to the best of my ability, I have dme no more than my duty, and that duly has been aided by the 00-operation of the officers and members of tha lodge. It is more though, chance thau anjtlungelsethitt I hare beon oalluil upon to take a leading part in your lodge. I bavo experienced thecuraeuf drink, aad h*dl been & temperate nian during my Lfe, I should now have been in an independent position. It was this order which rescued me — which has rescued thousands of others, and whioh will, I hopf , rescue many thousands more from one of Satin's most potent engines of destruction. This order has received the blessings of thousands of human creatures for the friendly ajd helping h»nd it ht» put forth t~> deliver them from tbo besottiav influences of drink ; nay more, it has the bl«jj#ing of DiTine Providence for who can deny \hn fact when they look at the vast amount o( good it has been instrumental in accomplishing. Nj order has extended so rapidly as that of Tstnplary. It was only a few years ago since it Wai tirst started into life, and it now can boast of lod,t*i in e?ery part of the world, with identically tha same form and ceremonies aa art gono through in the one I now adJress, and each having tbe same interest at heart, and the same object in vitjw. Brewers, publican?, and others, engaged in the traffic of liquor admit the eril of it, but satisfy their cojisciencw by shuffling the responsibility oa one another, and thua the evil continues ; but the time will come sooner or Inter when right will prevail o?er might, and the efforts of those who were now battling with so powerful tfn enemy will be crowned with complete succ ss. I could apeak »t much greater length on this subject, but will not occupy your time any bnger. In conclusion I would gire you this advice : Keep together aud act together, lnlividual effort may accomplish mnch, but united action will do more. On no account misa an opportunity of adding to your number. Outsiders may scoff at your efforts, but do nob let this discourage you ; endeavour all the more lo enroll them under yonr banner. I has been said by outsiders " This lodge will not stand long." Lat it bo your prile to shew them their error- I may tell you lam going to Auckland to edit anotuer journal, and in the capacity of editor will use whatever influence I may have to the advancement of the Order, Before taking my seat I would convey to you again the dee,p regret i feel in leaving this district, for though I hare only been a short time with you I have met with nothing but Hndne39 at your hands. I leave this lodge with a kindly feeling to every member in it. I once more thank you on behalf of myself and wife for your token of esteem, and wish you all prosperity and success. (Loud applause ) Bro Jarretfc, W.C T. of the Hope of Waipa Lodge, thon came forward to present a testimonial front the officers and members of that lodge. After a few prefatory remarks he read the following address ;—; — "To Bro C. O. Montrose, D. Gk W. 0. T. Hope of Waikato Lodge, — Dear Sir and Brother, — It was with feeliags of deep regret we heard. We were about to inour a losa tbat cannot be easily supplied, and, by our young lodge, felt more than others. During t • short time we have been connected with you in your official capacity as .Deputy Grand Worthy Chief Templar of Waikato, be assured you have earned the esteem and goodwill of every membei of our lodge, not alone for the able and talented manner in which you have conducted ♦-he business erf our Order, but for the kind aad gentlemanly disposition you have displayed on every occasion we have met you. We tender you our heartfelt sympathy under the circumstances which have caused your separation from us ; and trust that at no very distant day we may be called on to welcome you back to the Waikato, when you may rely on our best efforts to promote your welfare. We now unite in wishing you amd family health, happiness and prosperity, and trust that the philanthropic efforts you are making for the good of your iellow men in connection with the Gtood Templar movement, may be crowned with success, — We are, dear sir and brother, youra fraternally, signed by the officers on behalf of the members of the Star of Waipa Lodge. Bro. Montrose replied at length, giving soms> lOod advice as to the management of tbe recently established Lodge at Ngaruawjhia, and sat do«£ amidst cheers. Bro. Hines was then nominated *s succtattt to Bro. Montrose, to be elected at a future meeting, after which a number of songs and recitations were given by several of the member*. A very pleasant evening was passed, and tho meeting broke up shortly after eleven a'olock, nith expressions of mutual good fellowship between Bro. and Siater Montrose and the members of the various lodges present Mr Montrose took hVdeps/rUjre. from 1 Hamilton jesterday, by the Alart. About 3) peri duj were ptcseat to bid bust farewell*