Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-04-10
.74TH MASONIC ANNIVERSARIES
Celebrated IN GREAT BANQUET
More Than 100 MasonS Assembled Saturday Evening to
Commemorate Coming Of Order to lsands-Many Visitors
and States Represented

I lHS at lne dinner gwen at the IOu0S
Hotel under the aus 3ices of Oceanic
odge, No. 371. F. and A. NJ. to cele-
brate the seventy anniversary
of the coming of Masonry to the Ha-
waiian islands B.. ..:l.
The first lodge established in the
islands was instituted by the captain
of a French trading vessel who had a
commission from the Grand Lodge of
France to establish Masonic lodges in
the Pacific. He established Lodge
PProgres de lie Oceanic, No. i24, A. and
A. s. r.. on the evening of April 8,
1912. The present Oceanic lodge is
the old Lodge PProgres under new
name and transferred since annexa-
tion to the California jurisdiction.
One of the very interesting features
developed at the close of the evenings
set program, when call for the mem
bership of various jurisdictions among
those present showed q state Juris-
dictions represented and one man
from lodge in Bermuda.
The sixth floor cafe of the Young
Hotel was appropriately decorated for
the occasion, the square and compass
being outlined in colored lights at
either end of the room Midway the
American and Hawaiian flags were
draped about picture of the late
King Kalakaua in the full regalia of
Knight Templar. During his reign
King Kalakaia served as worshipful
master of Lodge rProgres. Prominent
among the guests was Past Master
John NeilI, one OF the oldest Masons
in the territory and the oldest living
past master of Hawaiian Lodge No.
81. Masters and past masters of the
local lodges were the guests of Ocean
ic, and also the officers and men Ma
sons of the army and navy, who were
especially well represented.
Worshipful Master Lawrence A.
Kerr called the diners to order for the
opening of the after-dinner program,
briefly introducing w. R. Harrington,
the last past master of Lodge PRO
gres previous to its members passing
over 10 the American jurisdiction, as
the postmaster
History Is Reviewed.
The first toast by Past Master Ed
Towse Has an instructive historical
sketch of the first coming of Masonry
to Hawaii, previous. to any lodge being
established in any part of the main
land west of the Rocky Mountains. He
gave historical detail Of the assoeia
tion with the lodge in its early days
of the Hawaiian kings and the busi-
ness, social and political leaders of
that day
Judge C.. w. Ashford responded to
the toast In the Days of Kalakaua"
Judge Ashford knew the late King
Kalakaua through his association with
the Knight Telaplars rather than the
blue lodge OF which the king was
head. He spoke as friend and Ma
sonic brother and told of The deep in
terest which kalakaua had always
shown in Masonic history, as well as
the regular WORK of the Masonic ac-
tivities.
Past Master James F. Fenwick, the
local representative of the Grand
Lodge Of California, spoke to the topic
When California Came to Hawaii"
His remarks were centered about
facts in the history of Hawaiian lodge,
CALIFORNIA; first representative here
and one of the earliest lodges to give
allegiance to the Grand Lodge of Cali
fornia. Hawaiian lodge now has
membership of over 300.
Past Master Norman e. Gedge, the
lately appointed deputy of the Su-
preme Council Of the Scottish Rite, re-
sponded for the Scottish Rite, first
brought to the islands by the late
John Dominis, husband of Queen Lii.
uokalani. This rite now has active
lodges on three islands of the groups.
Masons Of Service Represented.
Masonry as Character Builder"
furnished the text for Chaplain Scott
of Fort Shafter to deliver splendid
address on the active moral force of
Masonry Chaplain Scott took occa-
sion to refer especially to the cordial
ity with which the Masons of the SER
vice have been received in all Homo
lulu Masonic activities and expressed
his belief that this was one of the
strongest links to bring together the
men of the Service and the civilians
of the islands.
Worshipful Master Walter Shields
responded for Hawaiian lodge, calling
attention TO the historical fact that
Hawaiian lodge carried forward Ma
sonic work and interest during one OF
the periods in the history of Lodge
lProgres when it was all but dormant.
He brought a message of praise for
the past and bright hopes Tor the fu-
ture. :... ..::." I'D. .E=,
Past Master George W. Smith spoke
for Honolulu lodge. This organization
like 1'Progres began its career under
foreign jurisG >ction, the Grand
Lodge OF Scotland. 1t had grown and
Prospered and had changed its juris-
diction for the sole reason that an
American allegiance was natural des-
tiny Mr.. Smith extended congratula.
tions to the officers and members of
Oceanic. ~. ......". II
Youngest Lodge Heard From.
Schoheld, the youngest Masonic
lodge of the islands, was represented
by Jay c. Schugart, U. S. A., of Scho-
field, who briefly and pleasantly re-
rerred TO the happy relations existing
between the youngest lodge and the
representative of the Oldest
Answering impromptp calls from the