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The Craft Abroad.
The Craft Abroad .
GRAND LODGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA . INSTALLATION OF HIS EXCELLENCY SIR GERARD SMITH K . C . M . G ., AS M . W . G . MASTER .
On Tuesday , the 27 th February , in the new ballroom of Government House , His Excellency the Governor , Bro . Sir Gerard Smith , K . C . M . G ., Past G . Warden of England , was solemnly installed as the First Grand Masterof the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Western Australia : This event marks a distinct epoch in the history of Freemasonry on this continent , and , indeed in the Masonic world . In such circumstances , therefore , neither
the ornate and impressive ceremonial prescribed for such rare occasions , nor its sequel , the social function which followed , is likely to fade from the memory of those brethren who had the good fortune to participate in either or both . The history of a movement so happily consummated recently may soon be told . It may , however , be premised that among true and loyal bodies of English Freemasons , jealous of maintaining the ancient
landmarks of the Order , the responsibility for severing the connection with the parent Grand Lodge is one of extreme gravity . Needless to say , it is seldom undertaken unless by the advice of the wisest counsellors ol the Craft within the province where Masonic sovereignty is , sought to be set up . And , after all is said and done , even when the irrevocable step is taken , it can only be finally justified by its fruits . In these colonies there
already existed four Qrand Lodges , those of New South Wales , Victoria , South Australia , and Tasmania . The sovereignty of these four bodies , althoug h involving at the outset a technical act of usurpation and disloyalty , was , in each case , more or less readily recognised by the Grand Lodges of the world , including , of course , the three parent Grand Lodges of the United Kingdom , with whom they have since continued to be bound by the closest fraternal ties . In these instances , to vary a common phrase , Ihe
means has amply justified the end . The Order generally has gained in strength , and its principles have been more widely inculcated , while local Charities have reaped the benefit of capitation taxes , which , under the old order of things , found their way into channels certainly most worthy , but extremely distant , and , therefore , of little or no avail locally .
The movement for the establishment of a Grand Lodge for Western Australia had its beginning as early as 1894 . At that date there were no other lodges in the colony but those owning allegiance to the English Constitution , a fact which was urged with a good deal of persistency by a worthy brother of Geraldton Lodge , No . 1683 , as a good and sufficient reason for precipitating events . In the Eastern colonies the step had been delayed
until other constitutions were planted , a state of things which for years , except in the case of South Australia , militated against Masonic unity . However , the District Grand Lodge of that date did not entertain the proposal , and it accordingly lapsed . In the meantime several events transpired which have had an important bearing upon the question . As was anticipated by those who originally moved in the matier , the situation
became complicated by the establishment of lodges under the Scottish and Irish Constitutions , rendering Masonic unity less easy , although it is fully hoped and believed not impossible , of attainment . However , as in a large manner counterbalancing this temporary difficulty , the way bad been made smooth for the legal establishment of a local Grand Lodge by a radical alteration in the Constitutions of the parent body . Hitherto , as previously
indicated , all such defections involved an act of rebellion , whereas provision is now made by the Grand Lodge of England for the constitutional setting up in different parts of the Empire of a government for the Craft at once local and supreme . His Excellency Bro . Sir Gerard Smith , who recognised the expediency of establishing a Grand Lodge , did not hesitate , as District Grand Master , to at once place all the lodges within his jurisdiction
in possession of this fact , nor did he delay in urging upon District Grand Lodge the wisdom of initiating the autonomous movement . The declaratory step was accordingly taken in the prescribed form on October nth , when the District Grand Lodge , having first obtained the sanction of all the lodges in its jurisdiction , with one exception , carried a series of resolutions which virtually asserted for such District
Grand Lodge all the powers and functions of sovereignty . The body thus constituted , however , did not enter upon its constitutional existence till the 27 th of February , when its first Grand Master was duly installed . It is a coincidence not unworthy of mention , as being in kerp ng widi Masonic traditions of loyalty to the Throne , that while many of l . er Majesty ' s viceregal representatives in Western Australia have aided in raising the
superstructure of Freemasonry in the colony , its foundations were laid at Government House as far back as 1843 by His Excellency the late Bro . John Hutt , and that this year of grace has witnessed , under vice-regal associations of the closest kind , the achievement of all that was implied by the at once solemn and social functions of the date above mentioned , lt is also worthy of note that the Grand Lodge of England was represented at
those functions by a Past G . Chaplain of lingland in the person of the R . W . Bro . Bishop Riley , who officiated as Installing Master , and who was assisted in his duties by the late Dist . G . Master , Bro . A . J . Wright , and by the oldest surviving Past Master of the Lodge of St . John , the parent lodge of Western Australia . Lastly must be mentioned the fact that among the vast concourse of brethren assembled on the occasion to do
honour to the new Grand Master were very many Scottish and Irish Freemasons , surely a happy augury of the future unity of Freemasonry in this part of the Empire . Never before in the history of Freemasonry in this colony has such a spectacle been witnessed as that afforded , not only by the inauguration of the Grand Lodge of Western Australia and the installation of tie M . W . Grar . d Master , but also by the magnificent gathering of brethren present
to witness and take part in the ceremony . There must have been from 800 to icoo present , and it is probable that coming , as many did , not only from the goldfields and the eastern and south-western districts , but also from remoter places , nearly , if not quite , all the lodges which have hitherto held under the English Constitution , but now hold under the West Australian , were splendidly represented in the gathering . There were also
The Craft Abroad.
many members of lodges under the sister Constitutions of Scotland and Ireland , New South Wales , Victoria , and South Australia . Such a gathering was indeed a unique one , and fitly commemorated so important an event in West Australian Freemasonry . By the courtesy of the M . W . Grand Master elect , the ballroom at Government House was granted for the purposes of a lodge room , and the
adjoining cloak rooms were placed at the disposal of the brethren . The latter commenced to arrive at six o ' clock , and for 40 minutes continued without intermission . At 20 minutes to seven , which was five minutes before the time for the ceremony to commence , by the request of the acting G . D . of C , Bro . J . P . Walton , the brethren , who were properly attired according to their rank or office in their respective lodges , entered the
ballroom , when it was seen that this handsome and spacious hall had been converted into a lodge room , with all the familiar furnishings . To the left of the dais was stationed an orchestra of 10 instrumentalists , led by Bro . H . Clough , and a choir of 22 voices , all under the direction of Bro . W . Ernst Crome , acting Grand Organist . At the rear of the Grand Officers-elect , who occupied seats to the right and
left front of the Grand Master-elect , were seated Past Grand Officers , W . Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens , and the lower half of the Grand Lodge was set apart for the rest of the brethren . When the brethren were all in their places , the assemblage was indeed a brilliant one . It is hardly necessary to say of the regalia that the familiar blue predominated , but here and there were to be seen the different tartan aprons of brethren
belonging to Scottish lodges , these being fairly numerous , and the aprons of several members of the Irish Constitution were also discernible . The Grand Lodge Officers-elect , with their magnificent regalia , and the Masters and Past Masters of lodges decorated with jewels , some of them wearing as many as 20 , which , as the wearers moved , flashed and sparkled beneath the
bright electric lights , formed such a sight as needed to be witnessed to fully realise the brilliance and splendour of the spectacle . In addition to this , the acting Grand Director of Ceremonies , with his scarlet and gold staff , and his assistants and the executive committee were also distinguished by white rosettes , which added to the effect .
The brethren having all been seated , the ceremony of opening the Grand Ledge took place . The chairman of the executive committee , V . W . Bro . J . W . Hackett , M . L . C ., acting Grand Master , and his officers entered the hall , the
orchestra playing the familiar march in " Scipio " ( Handel ) , and took their seats , and the Grar . d Lodge was opened in due form , after which , by the invitation of the acting Grand Master , the V . W . Bro . the Right Rev . C . O . L . Riley , Lord Bishop of Perth , P . G . Chap . Eng ., presided as Installing Grand Officer .
I he acting Grand Secretary having read the certificate of the election of R . W . Bro . Sir Gerard Smith , K . C . M . G ., P . G . W . Eng ., as M . W . Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Western Australia , which constituted the authority for his installation , the Installing Grand Officer directed eight W . Masters to form themselves into a deputation for the purpose of introducing the Grand Master-elect .
Pieceded by the acting Grand Deacons , the deputation withdrew from Grand Lodge , and presently returned in a procession formed in the following order , attended by the acting Grand Deacons r VV . Master , bearing the gauntlets and apron of the Grand Master on a cushion ; W . Master , bearing the collar and jewel of the Grand Master on a cushion ;
two W . Masters , Sir Gerard Smith , Grand Master-elect ; two W . Masters . At a signal from the trumpeter , the brethren rose to their feet and remained upstanding , while the procession marched to the East , the orchestra playing tl e march in " Scipio . " Upon the procession halting before the Installing Grand Officer , the Grand Master-elect was presented by the acting Grand Director of Ceremonies , and conducted to his seat .
I he ceremony of obligating , investing , and installing the Grand Masterelect was then performed by the Installing Grand Officer , and was conducted in strict conformity with the ancient Masonic usuage . At its conclusion the trumpet was sounded thrice , and three times the proclamation of the installation was made in accordance with the custom of the Craft , and the brethren saluted the M . W . Grand Master in due form .
R . W . Bro . D . K . CONGIION , P . D . D . G . M ., on behalf of the Freemasons in Western Australia , congratulated the M . W . Grand Master on his election and installation , wbich the M . W . GRAND MASTER brielly acknowledged . The M . W . Grand Master then appointed V . W . Bro . J . W . Hackett to
be M . W . Pro Grand Master , and V . W . Bro . M . Samson to be R . W , Deputy Grand Master , the ceremony of their obligation and investiture being performed by the Installing Grand Officer , followed by the proclamation of their dignities by the acting Grand Director of Ceremonies and the salutations of the brethren in due form .
The acting Grand Director of Ceremonies , by command of the M . W . Grand Master , then read the names of the Grand Ofiicers appointed by the M . W . Grand Master , as follows :
Bro . I ' . A . McMullen ... ... ... S . G . W . „ E . Woodrow ... ... ... J . G . W . „ the Lord Bishop of Perth ... ... G . Chap . „ R . T . Robinson ... ... ... G . Reg . „ P . C . J . Campbell ... ... ... Pres . B . of G . P . „ J . P . Walton ... ... ... Pres . B . of Ben . „ J . D . Stevenson ... ... ... G . Sec . 1 . J . T . Hobbs ... ... ... G . Supt . of Wks . „ Samuel Green ... ... „ , )„ . „ A . A . Hough ... ... j S . G . Ds . „ E . W . Keatch ... ... ... „ P . G . D . Lavater ... ... ... j J , G , Ds ' „ T . F . Jolly ... ... ... ... G . D . of C . „ F . M . Bridley ... ... ... D . G . D . of C . „ J . V . Banlield ... ... ... A . G . D . ofC . „ T . C . Evans ... ... ... G . S . B . „ D . Feakes ... ... ... ... G . Std . Br . 1 . VV . E . Crome ... ... ... G . Organist . ' „ A . E . Fountain ... ... ... A . G . Sec . „ M . L . Moss .... ... ... G . Purst . „ H . Bennett ... ... ... ... |) . G . Purst .
The M . W . Grand Master appointed thc M . VV . Pro Grand Master and the R . W . Deputy Grand Master to be investing officers , and , with regard to several offices not yet filled , stated that the appointments would be made at a future date .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Craft Abroad.
The Craft Abroad .
GRAND LODGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA . INSTALLATION OF HIS EXCELLENCY SIR GERARD SMITH K . C . M . G ., AS M . W . G . MASTER .
On Tuesday , the 27 th February , in the new ballroom of Government House , His Excellency the Governor , Bro . Sir Gerard Smith , K . C . M . G ., Past G . Warden of England , was solemnly installed as the First Grand Masterof the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Western Australia : This event marks a distinct epoch in the history of Freemasonry on this continent , and , indeed in the Masonic world . In such circumstances , therefore , neither
the ornate and impressive ceremonial prescribed for such rare occasions , nor its sequel , the social function which followed , is likely to fade from the memory of those brethren who had the good fortune to participate in either or both . The history of a movement so happily consummated recently may soon be told . It may , however , be premised that among true and loyal bodies of English Freemasons , jealous of maintaining the ancient
landmarks of the Order , the responsibility for severing the connection with the parent Grand Lodge is one of extreme gravity . Needless to say , it is seldom undertaken unless by the advice of the wisest counsellors ol the Craft within the province where Masonic sovereignty is , sought to be set up . And , after all is said and done , even when the irrevocable step is taken , it can only be finally justified by its fruits . In these colonies there
already existed four Qrand Lodges , those of New South Wales , Victoria , South Australia , and Tasmania . The sovereignty of these four bodies , althoug h involving at the outset a technical act of usurpation and disloyalty , was , in each case , more or less readily recognised by the Grand Lodges of the world , including , of course , the three parent Grand Lodges of the United Kingdom , with whom they have since continued to be bound by the closest fraternal ties . In these instances , to vary a common phrase , Ihe
means has amply justified the end . The Order generally has gained in strength , and its principles have been more widely inculcated , while local Charities have reaped the benefit of capitation taxes , which , under the old order of things , found their way into channels certainly most worthy , but extremely distant , and , therefore , of little or no avail locally .
The movement for the establishment of a Grand Lodge for Western Australia had its beginning as early as 1894 . At that date there were no other lodges in the colony but those owning allegiance to the English Constitution , a fact which was urged with a good deal of persistency by a worthy brother of Geraldton Lodge , No . 1683 , as a good and sufficient reason for precipitating events . In the Eastern colonies the step had been delayed
until other constitutions were planted , a state of things which for years , except in the case of South Australia , militated against Masonic unity . However , the District Grand Lodge of that date did not entertain the proposal , and it accordingly lapsed . In the meantime several events transpired which have had an important bearing upon the question . As was anticipated by those who originally moved in the matier , the situation
became complicated by the establishment of lodges under the Scottish and Irish Constitutions , rendering Masonic unity less easy , although it is fully hoped and believed not impossible , of attainment . However , as in a large manner counterbalancing this temporary difficulty , the way bad been made smooth for the legal establishment of a local Grand Lodge by a radical alteration in the Constitutions of the parent body . Hitherto , as previously
indicated , all such defections involved an act of rebellion , whereas provision is now made by the Grand Lodge of England for the constitutional setting up in different parts of the Empire of a government for the Craft at once local and supreme . His Excellency Bro . Sir Gerard Smith , who recognised the expediency of establishing a Grand Lodge , did not hesitate , as District Grand Master , to at once place all the lodges within his jurisdiction
in possession of this fact , nor did he delay in urging upon District Grand Lodge the wisdom of initiating the autonomous movement . The declaratory step was accordingly taken in the prescribed form on October nth , when the District Grand Lodge , having first obtained the sanction of all the lodges in its jurisdiction , with one exception , carried a series of resolutions which virtually asserted for such District
Grand Lodge all the powers and functions of sovereignty . The body thus constituted , however , did not enter upon its constitutional existence till the 27 th of February , when its first Grand Master was duly installed . It is a coincidence not unworthy of mention , as being in kerp ng widi Masonic traditions of loyalty to the Throne , that while many of l . er Majesty ' s viceregal representatives in Western Australia have aided in raising the
superstructure of Freemasonry in the colony , its foundations were laid at Government House as far back as 1843 by His Excellency the late Bro . John Hutt , and that this year of grace has witnessed , under vice-regal associations of the closest kind , the achievement of all that was implied by the at once solemn and social functions of the date above mentioned , lt is also worthy of note that the Grand Lodge of England was represented at
those functions by a Past G . Chaplain of lingland in the person of the R . W . Bro . Bishop Riley , who officiated as Installing Master , and who was assisted in his duties by the late Dist . G . Master , Bro . A . J . Wright , and by the oldest surviving Past Master of the Lodge of St . John , the parent lodge of Western Australia . Lastly must be mentioned the fact that among the vast concourse of brethren assembled on the occasion to do
honour to the new Grand Master were very many Scottish and Irish Freemasons , surely a happy augury of the future unity of Freemasonry in this part of the Empire . Never before in the history of Freemasonry in this colony has such a spectacle been witnessed as that afforded , not only by the inauguration of the Grand Lodge of Western Australia and the installation of tie M . W . Grar . d Master , but also by the magnificent gathering of brethren present
to witness and take part in the ceremony . There must have been from 800 to icoo present , and it is probable that coming , as many did , not only from the goldfields and the eastern and south-western districts , but also from remoter places , nearly , if not quite , all the lodges which have hitherto held under the English Constitution , but now hold under the West Australian , were splendidly represented in the gathering . There were also
The Craft Abroad.
many members of lodges under the sister Constitutions of Scotland and Ireland , New South Wales , Victoria , and South Australia . Such a gathering was indeed a unique one , and fitly commemorated so important an event in West Australian Freemasonry . By the courtesy of the M . W . Grand Master elect , the ballroom at Government House was granted for the purposes of a lodge room , and the
adjoining cloak rooms were placed at the disposal of the brethren . The latter commenced to arrive at six o ' clock , and for 40 minutes continued without intermission . At 20 minutes to seven , which was five minutes before the time for the ceremony to commence , by the request of the acting G . D . of C , Bro . J . P . Walton , the brethren , who were properly attired according to their rank or office in their respective lodges , entered the
ballroom , when it was seen that this handsome and spacious hall had been converted into a lodge room , with all the familiar furnishings . To the left of the dais was stationed an orchestra of 10 instrumentalists , led by Bro . H . Clough , and a choir of 22 voices , all under the direction of Bro . W . Ernst Crome , acting Grand Organist . At the rear of the Grand Officers-elect , who occupied seats to the right and
left front of the Grand Master-elect , were seated Past Grand Officers , W . Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens , and the lower half of the Grand Lodge was set apart for the rest of the brethren . When the brethren were all in their places , the assemblage was indeed a brilliant one . It is hardly necessary to say of the regalia that the familiar blue predominated , but here and there were to be seen the different tartan aprons of brethren
belonging to Scottish lodges , these being fairly numerous , and the aprons of several members of the Irish Constitution were also discernible . The Grand Lodge Officers-elect , with their magnificent regalia , and the Masters and Past Masters of lodges decorated with jewels , some of them wearing as many as 20 , which , as the wearers moved , flashed and sparkled beneath the
bright electric lights , formed such a sight as needed to be witnessed to fully realise the brilliance and splendour of the spectacle . In addition to this , the acting Grand Director of Ceremonies , with his scarlet and gold staff , and his assistants and the executive committee were also distinguished by white rosettes , which added to the effect .
The brethren having all been seated , the ceremony of opening the Grand Ledge took place . The chairman of the executive committee , V . W . Bro . J . W . Hackett , M . L . C ., acting Grand Master , and his officers entered the hall , the
orchestra playing the familiar march in " Scipio " ( Handel ) , and took their seats , and the Grar . d Lodge was opened in due form , after which , by the invitation of the acting Grand Master , the V . W . Bro . the Right Rev . C . O . L . Riley , Lord Bishop of Perth , P . G . Chap . Eng ., presided as Installing Grand Officer .
I he acting Grand Secretary having read the certificate of the election of R . W . Bro . Sir Gerard Smith , K . C . M . G ., P . G . W . Eng ., as M . W . Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Western Australia , which constituted the authority for his installation , the Installing Grand Officer directed eight W . Masters to form themselves into a deputation for the purpose of introducing the Grand Master-elect .
Pieceded by the acting Grand Deacons , the deputation withdrew from Grand Lodge , and presently returned in a procession formed in the following order , attended by the acting Grand Deacons r VV . Master , bearing the gauntlets and apron of the Grand Master on a cushion ; W . Master , bearing the collar and jewel of the Grand Master on a cushion ;
two W . Masters , Sir Gerard Smith , Grand Master-elect ; two W . Masters . At a signal from the trumpeter , the brethren rose to their feet and remained upstanding , while the procession marched to the East , the orchestra playing tl e march in " Scipio . " Upon the procession halting before the Installing Grand Officer , the Grand Master-elect was presented by the acting Grand Director of Ceremonies , and conducted to his seat .
I he ceremony of obligating , investing , and installing the Grand Masterelect was then performed by the Installing Grand Officer , and was conducted in strict conformity with the ancient Masonic usuage . At its conclusion the trumpet was sounded thrice , and three times the proclamation of the installation was made in accordance with the custom of the Craft , and the brethren saluted the M . W . Grand Master in due form .
R . W . Bro . D . K . CONGIION , P . D . D . G . M ., on behalf of the Freemasons in Western Australia , congratulated the M . W . Grand Master on his election and installation , wbich the M . W . GRAND MASTER brielly acknowledged . The M . W . Grand Master then appointed V . W . Bro . J . W . Hackett to
be M . W . Pro Grand Master , and V . W . Bro . M . Samson to be R . W , Deputy Grand Master , the ceremony of their obligation and investiture being performed by the Installing Grand Officer , followed by the proclamation of their dignities by the acting Grand Director of Ceremonies and the salutations of the brethren in due form .
The acting Grand Director of Ceremonies , by command of the M . W . Grand Master , then read the names of the Grand Ofiicers appointed by the M . W . Grand Master , as follows :
Bro . I ' . A . McMullen ... ... ... S . G . W . „ E . Woodrow ... ... ... J . G . W . „ the Lord Bishop of Perth ... ... G . Chap . „ R . T . Robinson ... ... ... G . Reg . „ P . C . J . Campbell ... ... ... Pres . B . of G . P . „ J . P . Walton ... ... ... Pres . B . of Ben . „ J . D . Stevenson ... ... ... G . Sec . 1 . J . T . Hobbs ... ... ... G . Supt . of Wks . „ Samuel Green ... ... „ , )„ . „ A . A . Hough ... ... j S . G . Ds . „ E . W . Keatch ... ... ... „ P . G . D . Lavater ... ... ... j J , G , Ds ' „ T . F . Jolly ... ... ... ... G . D . of C . „ F . M . Bridley ... ... ... D . G . D . of C . „ J . V . Banlield ... ... ... A . G . D . ofC . „ T . C . Evans ... ... ... G . S . B . „ D . Feakes ... ... ... ... G . Std . Br . 1 . VV . E . Crome ... ... ... G . Organist . ' „ A . E . Fountain ... ... ... A . G . Sec . „ M . L . Moss .... ... ... G . Purst . „ H . Bennett ... ... ... ... |) . G . Purst .
The M . W . Grand Master appointed thc M . VV . Pro Grand Master and the R . W . Deputy Grand Master to be investing officers , and , with regard to several offices not yet filled , stated that the appointments would be made at a future date .