The Light Of The Sun To Rule The Lodge.

he the fairest flower of earth : that this beaut y , purity , and grace were not formed from inherent factors in men , but have been reflected rays of the Great Architect of the Universe . To give the subject a more of an every-day turn , do wc not meet men to whom their fellow-men point the finger of contempt and

designate then' characters as black , signifying that they are those who absorb—like the black colour—all the gifts of earth and bounties of heaven which they tenaciousl y retain for their own enjoyment , with never a thought what they have received in an infinitesimal degree to the sons of men who may 7 be poorer off than themselves .

Hence the black character is synonymous with the intensely selfish one which the spirit of Masonry 7 strongly discountenances in the brother initiate . On the other hand , wc have all been privileged to meet the man whom we can best describe as possessing the white character , which implies that he is one who possesses the faculty of

appropriating all that is best in life , but only with the desire of throwing back and returning what has been his good fortune to acquire , not from any selfish motives , but simply to alleviate suffering , relieve the poor , to bring comfort to the sons and daughters in distress—in short , to leave the world a little happier than he found

it ; the man who , if you asked if he had anything for the cause of charity , would promptly and unhesitatingly reply " Yes . " The whitecharactered man , therefore , is the man whom Masons love to honour and whose dominant motives they 7 love to copy . Light , viewed from another aspect , is the great purifier . Has there been infections disease within the household , then we are ordered by the family

doctor to pull up the blinds , open the windows , and allow the lig ht of heaven to penetrate every nook and cranny , for no germ of disease can withstand its scrutinising power . Moral and intellectual darkness in like manner dwarfs a man ' s powers , stultifies his higher nature , and blinds his sense of right and duty , for the eye of reason cannot pierce that curtain of darkness unless aided by that light which is from above .

That light emancipates and gives us a clearer vision and loftier conceptions of what life ought to be . When Aiitiochus Epip hanes wanted to defile and desecrate Solomon ' s temple at Jerusalem , tho lirst thing he did was to remove the hol y lamp . However the world may try to extinguish the light which God has endowed man with , Masonry strives her best to make that lamp of Truth burn more brig htly , and : —

This lamp through all the tedious ni ght of life shall guide our way , Till we behold the clearer li ght of an eternal day . Reader , consider and reflect on that supreme moment when you were admitted to be a brother among Masons . Remember the words of Solomon , " truly the light is sweet , and a pleasant thing it is for

the eyes to behold the sun ; but if a man live many years and rejoice in them all , ' yet let him remember the days of darkness . " The Divine Illuniinatoi hath kindled th y light . Let some bright beams fall on the darkness of the world around thee , ere thou die . Thus create a holy confidence that the Lord of Life will enable thee to lift thine eyes heavenwards to that bri ght Morning Star , whose rising brings peace and tranquility to the faithful of the human race .

Bro. George S. Graham.

Bro . George S . Graham .

THE RETIRING R . W . DISTRICT GRAND MASTER OF AUCKLAND , NEW ZEALAND .

^^ -T T ^ -sffi HE retirement of G . S . Graham , tho popular f ^/ wsJSpff District Grand Master of Auckland , under the 1 ( l ( r ? 7 ll §) ' I English Constitution , has caused universal regret §^\^ SSJ §/ 1 ¦ i" Masonic circles throughout the Colony , not only it & gj ^ rrggsj . l for the loss the brethren in his own District will sustain ,

but arising from the fact that his slate of health is the chief cause of his resignation , due to prolonged suffering , and finally culminating in a delicate surgical operation , necessitating entire rest for the future . Great sympathy is evinced b y his brother Masons that he should be so stricken down in the midst of an active and distinguished Masonic career .

His strong sense of duty and devotion to the best interests of Freemasonry alone prompted him , against the wishes of his brethren , to take the step . He felt he could not fulfil his high functions at so critical a period of Masonic history in New Zealand with that alacrity and satisfaction demanded of him in his exalted position , in such a shattered state of health .

Bro . Graham was initiated in Lodge Wnitcmate , No . 6 S 9 , on 17 th August , 1857 , and soon displayed conspicuous Masonic zeal , for , on 27 th December , 1861 , he was installed Worshipful Master of his mother Lodge . In the same year he was exalted a companion in fhe Ara Chapter of Royal Arch Masons , ever zealous in the pursuit of Masonic knowledge , hi 1877 , His Royal Highness the Prince of

Wales appointed him District Grand Master of the Provincial District of Auckland , and , on oOth November of ( hat year , he ^' as installed into office in the presence of a large and brilliant gathering of Masons with great pomp and solemnity by the District Grand Master of Westland , the late revered and venerable Bro . John Lazar . The further distinguished honour of Sovereign Grand

Bro. George S. Graham.

I nspector-General of the Supreme Council of England , 33 ° , was c onferred on him on 2 Sth October , 1 SS 1 . His amiable disposition , urbanity of character , and sound judgment in the performance of his duties drew around him a large circle of brethren . He soon influenced a project for a Masonic

Hall for Auckland , and , with the assistance of the Provincial Grand Masters of tbe Irish and Scotch Constitutions , a stately building , devoted to Freemasonry , was erected , the foundation-stone of which ho laid on 30 th March , 18 S 1 , amidst great rejoicings and most

impressive proceedings , the late Sir Frederick Whitaker , K . C . M . G ., District Grand Master ( S . C . ) , delivering an eloquent and learned Masonic address on the occasion . The general public of Auckland mustered in thousands , the day having been observed as a public holiday in honour of the proceedings .

Bro . Graham , owing to business necessities , resided in Wellington for many years , but nevertheless presided at the Quarterly Communications of his District Grand Lodge , to the entire satisfaction of the Lodges of his District . He also proved of great assistance to the Wellington Fraternity , with whom ho assiduously worked , and by whom he was universally esteemed . During his

At Dunedin , in January , 1890 , Bro . Graham presided at a conference of District and Provincial Grand Masters E . C , I . C . and S . C ., met for the purpose of discussing the question of a Grand Lodge of New Zealand—a subject at that time provoking an undesirable amount of heated controversy in Masonic circles , duo to the

action of leading secessionists and malcontents , which aroused a spirit of insubordination and unrest in many Lodges , much in character with the disastrous labour strikes of the period . The conference sat for many hours , carefully considering evevy aspect

of the proposal , and finally arrived at the conclusion that the movement was premature and ill-advised , and snggested in the most fraternal spirit , for the happiness and welfare of Freemasonry throughout the Colony 7 , that such an important step should be delayed until greater " unanimity prevailed amongst the Lodges .

It is needless to say that Bro . Grahams retirement from the active duties ol his high office is to be regretted . His loyalty and devotion to the pure and ancient doctrines of the Craft infused a similar spirit amongst his own Lodges , added to which , his untiring zeal , his kindliness of heart , and his conspicuous social qualifies endeared him to all . His firmness of character in inaintaiiiini "'

the honour and prestige of Grand Lodge of England during the past few troublous years , owing to the sometimes aggressive attitude of certain brethren , in defiance of Constitutional edicts and authority .

residence in the "Empire city , he was called upon to install the late Bro . C . G . Toxwood District Grand Master of Wellington , and subsequently assisted at the installation of the late Sir Hairy Atkinson , K . C . M . G ., for the same office , and frequently presided in District Grand Lodge in the unavoidable absence of the District Grand Master . He also laid the fouudation-stone of the Masonic Hall at Nelson , with which Lodge Victory was connected ..