Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
because , after consnlting the Pythian priestess , she returned an unfavourable answer . We are apt to sneer when we read of these dark times , but let us consider if we have any right to do so . These poor people believed in their oracle and obeyed it . Do we not , alas ! often consult a more baneful power , our own self-interest , our own prejudices , which in our own hearts and consciences we distrust : and considering that we are Christians , and have the advantage of centuries of civilisation and the
warning voice of history to guide us , may not the laugh really be against ourselves , and when weighed in the balance may we not be found wanting ? But , gentlemen , the time was fast approaching when one of the most remarkable discoveries of modern times since the invention of printing , or rather the application of that discovery to land travelling , was to produce results so colossal , and so beneficial to the trade and prosperity and general interests of this countryas to eclipse the
expecta-, tions of the most sanguine and scientific men , and at the same time to falsify the prophecies of the ignorant and prejudiced bigot . T allnde to the application of steam to land carriage . Ib would be impossible for me on this occasion to enter into the history of the birth , growth , and arrival at maturity of the steam carriage ; but its influence has been so great , and every day so increasing , that even now , notwithstanding the "
numbing influence of habit , " we watch the effects with ever increasing wonder and interest . But it is enough to say that the network of railways which we see around us , and which has as completely altered the face of many parts of this country as it has shown how utterly false all previous calculations as to her capacity and resources have been , is merely the offspring of the first little tramway which the Newcastle collier put together to
facilitate the removal of a barrow-full of coals to the wharf by the river side ? No ; I think we must go further than this . It is , in my mind , the result of the indomitable energy , pluck , and talent of George Stephenson , the working man . He it was who fought the good fight with prejudice ; it was he who cleared the way for this gigantic engine , the railway power , which was to cause such rapid advancement in our well-being and national prosperity ; and prejudice , since his victory , in positive science at least , has never so boldly raised her head . On the contrary , in these days we are apt , too indiscriminately ,
to welcome new discoveries . We are too fond of speculation ; and , like the Athenian in the days of the apostle , to look out too anxiously for some new thing . But can it be said that prejudice has no other field for exertion ? Has she no influence over our considerations on suggested reforms and improvements , which , though not resulting in magnificent , scientific , or architectural success , may , nevertheless , conduce even more to our -well-being ? For instancethe great questions of the day 1 Do
, ¦ we bring to bear upon them always calm reason and wellbalanced minds ? This is a question of some importance at this time . I hear a whisper , " This is dangerous ground—this is no place for politics . Quite right , it is no place for polities —for party politics—but when a man addresses a vast assemblage such as this , he cannot altogether ignore collateral circumstances and general surroundingsand no manI thinkhas
, , , a right to make a speech on an important occasion without deducing from what lie has said something worth remembering by individuals : he is responsible whether the remembrance of it will be for good or evil . Now , we have talked a good deal about progress—before we part let me tell you what I believe is the real proof of individual progress , by which I mean increased intelligence . A great many of those whom 1 am now
addressing will very soon have to express their opinions upon questions of imperial policy , the decision of which will have incalculable effects not only on our well-being , but on that of generations yet to come . Many of you , also , will have to undertake this responsibility for the first time ; in short , we all of us have before us a great and public duty , which it is most important we should conscientiously fulfil . Now , we all know that will here
prejudice again be at hor old work ; but we have it in our power to fight her , as George Stephenson did ; aud remember this , it is not the decision at which each one of us may arrive , but the process which each of us shall adopt in order to arrive at a decision which will prove whether we are honest workers in the good cause . The first effectual stroke we may deal upon the subtle enemy is bcrippling her staunch friend
y Ignorance , and by forming a warm alliance with Knowledgeby making ourselves thoroughly acquainted with the matter which will be brought before us , and then b y the application of this knowledge when acquired , of our free reasoning powers and our judgment , unfettered alike by partv rancour and selfish
Scotland.
interests . If we do this we shall , I am certain , no matter what side we take , or what our decisions may be , prove that we are the children of a wise generation—the brave and disciplined soldiers in the array of Progress ; and this great country may then with confidence leave the result in the hands of an all-wise and ever-watchful providence , and you who have been lately enfranchised will give the retort courteous but emphatic to those who have questioned the prudence and wisdom of the
Queen ' s advisers in giving the franchise to the working man . Bailie Brown having thanked the Craft for their attendance , the proceedings terminated , when the Prov . G . Lodge adjourned to the Masonic Hall , where it was duly closed .
Colonial.
COLONIAL .
NEW ZEALAND . DtTNEDIN . Laying the Foundation Stone of the Masonic Hall . The foundation stone of the new Masonic Hall , Morayplace , was laid on Whit Monday , June 1 st , with Masonic honours , by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of
New Zealand , S . C , Bro . Vincent Pyke ; assisted by the Deputy District Grand Master- of Otago , E . C ., Bro . A . Carrick ; and the Assistant-Provincial Grand Registrar , I . C ., Bro . C . White . It had been intended that the ceremony should take place on the anniversary of Her Majesty's birthday , but the inclemency of the weather caused it to be postponed . Although rain had fallen during the morning , the weather was all that could be desiredand the proceedings were successfully and completely
, carried out . ' The Craft had for a long time felt the necessity of a building for Masonic purposes , but it was not until the beginning of the year that action was taken . A company was then formed , and the site having been purchased , a contract was entered into with Mr . Horsman , for the erection of a building designed by Messrs . Mason and Clayton . The building is to be strictly Grecian in style , the portico being of the Corinthian order ;
the building being of brick , cemented . Ihe hall , as a whole , will have a frontage of 63 ft ., and will be 77 ft . deep . It will include two large rooms—the lower one 60 ft . by 40 ft ., and 20 ft . high , to be let for public purposes ; and the upper one 48 ft . by 38 ft ., which will be strictly devoted to Craft purposes . The public hall will be well plastered , but plainly finished . The upper storey will have , over the entrance hall , and the small rooms there , a supper room , 35 ft . 6 in . by 15 ft . with a shifting panel for dividing it into two apartments ; and
a serving room , 23 ft . by 10 ft . From tbe level of the two rooms a flight of stairs will lead to the Masonic hall , at the west end of which will be two rooms , 14 ft . by 12 ft ., and 18 ft . by 12 ft ., as well as a lobby . The only entrances to the Hall will be through these rooms . The floor of the hall will be supported on iron girders . There will be no window opening or lightadmitting aperture ; but there will be abundant ventilation . The exterior of the building will ( judging from the drawing ) be
most pleasantly effective . Of the 77 ft . depth , 36 ft . 6 in . will be occupied by the portico . There will be six plain-shafted Corinthian columns 25 ft . high , supporting a cornice 5 ft . deep , and a pediment , the apex of which will rise 7 ft . In the tympanum , it is intended to have , in bold relief , a group emblematic of Faith , Hope , and Charity . To a height of 10 ft . the front will be rusticated ; and above this there will be twopanelswith bead and heart mouldingsenriched with Masonic ,,
, , emblems . Above the portico the main building rises several feet : and there are two window openings to the small upper rooms , with small enriched columns bearing semicircular arches , each window being flanked by pilasters , with foliated capitals . Between the windows , the cornice is , at the centre ,, finished with a block-relief , and at each end there are pilasters supporting a small pediment . It was arranged that the District Grand LodgeE . G . the
, , Provincial Grand Lodge , S . C , and the Shamrock Lodge , I . C ., should meet at the Masonic Hall , while members of daughter lodges assembled at the new Post-office . This was done , and all the lodges liaving joined , a procession was formed , all the brethren wearing their jewels and regalia . The ceremony commenced by the Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works placing the plans on the table . They were received by tbe architect .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
because , after consnlting the Pythian priestess , she returned an unfavourable answer . We are apt to sneer when we read of these dark times , but let us consider if we have any right to do so . These poor people believed in their oracle and obeyed it . Do we not , alas ! often consult a more baneful power , our own self-interest , our own prejudices , which in our own hearts and consciences we distrust : and considering that we are Christians , and have the advantage of centuries of civilisation and the
warning voice of history to guide us , may not the laugh really be against ourselves , and when weighed in the balance may we not be found wanting ? But , gentlemen , the time was fast approaching when one of the most remarkable discoveries of modern times since the invention of printing , or rather the application of that discovery to land travelling , was to produce results so colossal , and so beneficial to the trade and prosperity and general interests of this countryas to eclipse the
expecta-, tions of the most sanguine and scientific men , and at the same time to falsify the prophecies of the ignorant and prejudiced bigot . T allnde to the application of steam to land carriage . Ib would be impossible for me on this occasion to enter into the history of the birth , growth , and arrival at maturity of the steam carriage ; but its influence has been so great , and every day so increasing , that even now , notwithstanding the "
numbing influence of habit , " we watch the effects with ever increasing wonder and interest . But it is enough to say that the network of railways which we see around us , and which has as completely altered the face of many parts of this country as it has shown how utterly false all previous calculations as to her capacity and resources have been , is merely the offspring of the first little tramway which the Newcastle collier put together to
facilitate the removal of a barrow-full of coals to the wharf by the river side ? No ; I think we must go further than this . It is , in my mind , the result of the indomitable energy , pluck , and talent of George Stephenson , the working man . He it was who fought the good fight with prejudice ; it was he who cleared the way for this gigantic engine , the railway power , which was to cause such rapid advancement in our well-being and national prosperity ; and prejudice , since his victory , in positive science at least , has never so boldly raised her head . On the contrary , in these days we are apt , too indiscriminately ,
to welcome new discoveries . We are too fond of speculation ; and , like the Athenian in the days of the apostle , to look out too anxiously for some new thing . But can it be said that prejudice has no other field for exertion ? Has she no influence over our considerations on suggested reforms and improvements , which , though not resulting in magnificent , scientific , or architectural success , may , nevertheless , conduce even more to our -well-being ? For instancethe great questions of the day 1 Do
, ¦ we bring to bear upon them always calm reason and wellbalanced minds ? This is a question of some importance at this time . I hear a whisper , " This is dangerous ground—this is no place for politics . Quite right , it is no place for polities —for party politics—but when a man addresses a vast assemblage such as this , he cannot altogether ignore collateral circumstances and general surroundingsand no manI thinkhas
, , , a right to make a speech on an important occasion without deducing from what lie has said something worth remembering by individuals : he is responsible whether the remembrance of it will be for good or evil . Now , we have talked a good deal about progress—before we part let me tell you what I believe is the real proof of individual progress , by which I mean increased intelligence . A great many of those whom 1 am now
addressing will very soon have to express their opinions upon questions of imperial policy , the decision of which will have incalculable effects not only on our well-being , but on that of generations yet to come . Many of you , also , will have to undertake this responsibility for the first time ; in short , we all of us have before us a great and public duty , which it is most important we should conscientiously fulfil . Now , we all know that will here
prejudice again be at hor old work ; but we have it in our power to fight her , as George Stephenson did ; aud remember this , it is not the decision at which each one of us may arrive , but the process which each of us shall adopt in order to arrive at a decision which will prove whether we are honest workers in the good cause . The first effectual stroke we may deal upon the subtle enemy is bcrippling her staunch friend
y Ignorance , and by forming a warm alliance with Knowledgeby making ourselves thoroughly acquainted with the matter which will be brought before us , and then b y the application of this knowledge when acquired , of our free reasoning powers and our judgment , unfettered alike by partv rancour and selfish
Scotland.
interests . If we do this we shall , I am certain , no matter what side we take , or what our decisions may be , prove that we are the children of a wise generation—the brave and disciplined soldiers in the array of Progress ; and this great country may then with confidence leave the result in the hands of an all-wise and ever-watchful providence , and you who have been lately enfranchised will give the retort courteous but emphatic to those who have questioned the prudence and wisdom of the
Queen ' s advisers in giving the franchise to the working man . Bailie Brown having thanked the Craft for their attendance , the proceedings terminated , when the Prov . G . Lodge adjourned to the Masonic Hall , where it was duly closed .
Colonial.
COLONIAL .
NEW ZEALAND . DtTNEDIN . Laying the Foundation Stone of the Masonic Hall . The foundation stone of the new Masonic Hall , Morayplace , was laid on Whit Monday , June 1 st , with Masonic honours , by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of
New Zealand , S . C , Bro . Vincent Pyke ; assisted by the Deputy District Grand Master- of Otago , E . C ., Bro . A . Carrick ; and the Assistant-Provincial Grand Registrar , I . C ., Bro . C . White . It had been intended that the ceremony should take place on the anniversary of Her Majesty's birthday , but the inclemency of the weather caused it to be postponed . Although rain had fallen during the morning , the weather was all that could be desiredand the proceedings were successfully and completely
, carried out . ' The Craft had for a long time felt the necessity of a building for Masonic purposes , but it was not until the beginning of the year that action was taken . A company was then formed , and the site having been purchased , a contract was entered into with Mr . Horsman , for the erection of a building designed by Messrs . Mason and Clayton . The building is to be strictly Grecian in style , the portico being of the Corinthian order ;
the building being of brick , cemented . Ihe hall , as a whole , will have a frontage of 63 ft ., and will be 77 ft . deep . It will include two large rooms—the lower one 60 ft . by 40 ft ., and 20 ft . high , to be let for public purposes ; and the upper one 48 ft . by 38 ft ., which will be strictly devoted to Craft purposes . The public hall will be well plastered , but plainly finished . The upper storey will have , over the entrance hall , and the small rooms there , a supper room , 35 ft . 6 in . by 15 ft . with a shifting panel for dividing it into two apartments ; and
a serving room , 23 ft . by 10 ft . From tbe level of the two rooms a flight of stairs will lead to the Masonic hall , at the west end of which will be two rooms , 14 ft . by 12 ft ., and 18 ft . by 12 ft ., as well as a lobby . The only entrances to the Hall will be through these rooms . The floor of the hall will be supported on iron girders . There will be no window opening or lightadmitting aperture ; but there will be abundant ventilation . The exterior of the building will ( judging from the drawing ) be
most pleasantly effective . Of the 77 ft . depth , 36 ft . 6 in . will be occupied by the portico . There will be six plain-shafted Corinthian columns 25 ft . high , supporting a cornice 5 ft . deep , and a pediment , the apex of which will rise 7 ft . In the tympanum , it is intended to have , in bold relief , a group emblematic of Faith , Hope , and Charity . To a height of 10 ft . the front will be rusticated ; and above this there will be twopanelswith bead and heart mouldingsenriched with Masonic ,,
, , emblems . Above the portico the main building rises several feet : and there are two window openings to the small upper rooms , with small enriched columns bearing semicircular arches , each window being flanked by pilasters , with foliated capitals . Between the windows , the cornice is , at the centre ,, finished with a block-relief , and at each end there are pilasters supporting a small pediment . It was arranged that the District Grand LodgeE . G . the
, , Provincial Grand Lodge , S . C , and the Shamrock Lodge , I . C ., should meet at the Masonic Hall , while members of daughter lodges assembled at the new Post-office . This was done , and all the lodges liaving joined , a procession was formed , all the brethren wearing their jewels and regalia . The ceremony commenced by the Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works placing the plans on the table . They were received by tbe architect .