The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1892-12-28

detract from the solemnity OF tie occa-
sion or mar the purport OF the speech
The paragraphs on the newspaper
epitomizes the information which he
gives us, that we may CLEAN without
waste OF time what is necessary or inter-
esting to know OF the happenings of the
day. and he is appreciated. The speaker
OF the day who says that which he is
called upon TO say without waste OF
words or time deserves also appreciation
and praise.
Let me then, in accepting the honor Of
addressing this g0odly assemblage, make
up by the brevity of the discourse for
other defects.
Not only 10 the members OF the Ha-
walian Lodge OF MasOns, but TO our fell
low citizens, this ceremony is of interest.
With this ceremony is inaugurated fur
Their advancement OF our town as well as
manifestion OF the prosperity OF our
Order and our Lodge. On the 18th
day of January, in the year of
our Lord 1852, over forty Years ago,
an application was made to the Grand
Lodge of FreemaSOnS of California for a
dispensation to open lodge of Masons
In Honolulu under the name of Hawaiian
Lodge. \ few months later, on the 9Th
day OF May OF that year, regular char
ter was granted to that lodge giving it
lawful standing throughout the world.
The lodge then began its masonic work
and while It's meeting place improved in
appearance from time to time, and while
it could boast of the possession of its own
house, many of the members deemed the
accommodations insufficient. Hence
arose the intention which we. are now
carrying out, OF erecting place where
We find room not only for our masonic
work, but also for social converse.
For more than forty years our lodge
has been in existence, maintaining the
rites and principle of the ancient craft
without faint upon its membership or
work; without strife, without enmity,
without ill-teeling, but in undisturbed
harmony has this lodge done its work
during all that length of time.
The records OF this lodge are but part
OF the evidence of the good done by it,
and its situation upon the confines OF the
world of our European and American
brethren has given additional value and
weight to all the charitable acts par
formed by this lodge and lis individual
members.
In former days when the communica-
tlPLNGen IneSG lSIdfluS ana Europe
and America was scant anu irregular, Ii
must have been a great comfort for the
stranger brother landing upon these
shores to find lodge OF brothers Of the
mystic tie to welcome him.
To find men with whom he could fra
terniZe, and who in measure iessened,
under the shelter of the lodge, that sense
of loneliness and detection of spirit which
is so often caused by the absence OF rela-
tives and friends. It is one of the boons
which masonry grants, that wherever
We go, even in the turthest regions of the
world, where all whom we meet are
strangers, there is usually some one
found who is attached to us the by bonds OF
masonry with whom we can find
home whose presence gives us a feeling
OF security and lifts the weight of loneli-
ness which would otherwise depress US.
We as Masons do not ask charity. There
is no grinding obligation on the part of 8
brother mason to assist us by diminish
ing his own means. Masons do not trade
or speculate upon those obligations which
we assume so freely and willingly.
Doubtless there are men who have
joined our order for purely selfish ends
Doubtless there are men utterly WORTH
less WAC have gained admission to our
house, who have by their subsequent
conduct laid bare their worthlessness to
the masonic and to the outside world.
1t is consoling fact that they are not
many in number and it is a consoling
fact that they do not stay with us after
they are found out.
Such mistakes SIS the admission of
persons Of that class are sometimes una
voidable. Let us be warned to exercise
the utmost caution in the selection OF
those who seek admission, and let US
hope that when we are installed in this
new house no cowans will gain access to
our family; that none but those who are
found worthy and we'll qualified will be
permitted to join US
Before the institution OF our lodge the
Order was represented here by our sister
lodge LIE Progress de l'Oceanie, under the
jurisdiction of the Grand Orient of France
If information is correct, this lodge was
opened in 1912, ten years before the
birthday OF Hawaiian Lodge, In those
days l am told, they had no lodge room
on shore, and the earliest meetings Of
this venerable lodge were held on board
of the ship of Captain Letellier, who was
authorized to institute the lodge. From
that time on many of our best appreci-
ated fellow citizens became members OF
lie Progress. Some have joined the silent
majority, a goodly number remain and
sustain our ocean-born sister. We vel
come them to-day in the true masonic
spirit, to join with US in this important
celebration and hope TO see them share
in whatever good may be the outcome of
our present undertaking.
This day, my brethren, is q day Of JUS
tifable pride to US. On this, our masonic
holiday, is laid the corner stone for the
new temple of our lodge.
This building which is to adorn our
town by its outward beauty.
This building wherein the social and
moral virtues inculcated by masonry are
to be, and will be practiced an main
tanned.
This Building, from whose portals Will
issue messages of fraiernal love and
deeds OF charity, and assurances Of low
ing consideration, to the members OF the
craft and assurances OF good will toward
sill men.
10 those OF our guests who are not con-
nected with the order, a few historic
facts relating to our order may prove
interesting. Our association of so called
speculative masons IS comparatively
young in date, in so far as regards its
direct influence upon civilization, educa-
ton and sociality. 1t is known to have
exercised such influence at the beginning
OF the 10th century or about four hundred
years ago.
Free masonry existed centuries before
that time. 1t origin - T., the forma-
ton of guild of l..ders aud institution