LODGE BETA, 450, I.C.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1556, 24 June 1882, Page 2

LODGE BETA, 450, I.C.

Installation of Officers. The Provincial Grand Officer's, 1.C., held their quarterly communication in tho above lodge last evening, after which the ceremony of installation of the officers of Lodge Beta was performed by the Installing Master, P.G. S. Eees. Tho following are the newly-elected officers:—Bro. P.M. C.R. Johnson,W.M.j Bro. W. Murray, B.W. ; Bro. S. McLernon, J."\V.; Bro. Edgecumbe, Secretaiy and Treasurer; Bro. J. Hannah," S.D. ; Bro. W. Carson, J.D. ; Bro. I. Coates, I.G-. ; Bro. Warren, Tyler. After the installation had been duly performed, the R.W.P.G.M. dehveied the following address to the brethren :—: — Five years have passed since 1 had the pleasure of presiding at the dedication of this hall. I regret that the opportunity has-not presented itself of my being able to visit this portion of our Masonic province moie frequently with tny Provincial Grand Officers. I wish to take this opportunity of saying a few words to you on some of the duties which, as Masons, j we are call upon to fulfil, arid it may not be time ill spent briefly to remind you of a few salient points which should be eaiefully stored in the heart oi every true brother, thoughts which each one of us may ponder over with advantage. Ist. As to the admission of men into our order ; it is our duty to examine and carefully scrutinize the character of every candidate before admitting him into our ancient and honourable society. We must make sure that they are of the right material to stand the action of the gavel, and become sound, square stones in oui ancient structure, stones which united by the true cement of Freemasom y, will establish strength and stability ; stones that on the application of the measuring square will piove " true and trusty," ami that when tried by the level, will be found endowed with that principle of equality, without which the harmony df the lodges cannot be preserved. Keep constantly in mind that the test of a powerful lodge does not consist in the number of its members, but in the character of each individual ; the admission of weak, wavering, and immoral men into our order may tend to swell our ranks, and possibly improve our finances, but it will introduce rottenness and decay into the structure, and instead of oiu fabric being built up of living stones, wo will have elected a building which will not stand the test of time, but one which must inevitably crumble and decay. Let one anil all endeavour to ieali&e the individual sense of our responsibility, and regard the gi\ ing a vote on the admission of a candidate as one of the most important parts of our duty. We have a right to expect that "the tongue of good report" shall be in his favour, that he shall not be a duinkaid, a gambler, adulterer or a sensualist—such a man you would not bi ing into your own home, or introduce to your family ; nor should he be admitted into a Masonic Lodge, which is our family, "for we are all bretheren," having a common interest to support, a common honour to maintain, all of us members one of another. I will add one more thought, being an extract taken fiom an address by an American brother befoie the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. " The morality of Masonry requires us to deal justly with otheis, nottodcfiaud. cheat or wrong them of their just dues and rights. But it goes further. It legards men as bound by pity, Masonic morality, and fraternal bonds, to minister to the wants of the destitute and afllicted, and that we may be enabled to fulfil this high behest of humanity it strictly enjoins industry ami frugality that so our hands may ever be filled with the means of exercising that charity to which our hearts should ever dispose us." Weighty woids these my brethren, words which we should well consider. The woild points at us, just as scoffois and unbelievers do nowadays at the Christian Church, and if the} bee one or two of its members who do not act strictly up to their profession, it causes a scandal to be cast on the body politic ; so it is with Masonry; we are being nanrowly watched by the outside world, and if any of us fall back and do not act up to our high profession obloquy is cast on the order; let us therefore be ever watchful, and iet brotherly love abound. Tliou must be brave thyself, It them the truth would teach: Live truly and tbj' life shall be A great and noble creed. And as Charles Kingsley well says, " Do noble things, not dream them, all day long, and so make life, death, and that vast forever one grand, sweet song." The installation banquet took place at the Commercial Hotel, the W.M., Bro. C. R. Johnson in the chair. The usual toasts were drunk with Masonic honours. The dining-room was beautifully decorated, and the repast reflected the highest credit on the host and hostess, Mr and Mrs> Milne.