It was resolved to keep Zetland Lodge open until the following St. John's Day. The Rt. Wor. Bro Lawson the Provincial Grand Master, who resided at Canton, was then elected a member and also to the chair.
In 1875 Bro. Kingsmill, addressing the District Grand Lodge paid glowing tributes to the work of Brothers S. Rawson and W. T. Mercer. It was difficult he said to say to which of these brethren Masonry in China was most indebted. There was a time, he declared when Masonry in Hongkong was like the dying flame of a candle, flickering in the socket and there was no one to work the solitary Lodge which existed in the place.
Bro. Rawson was then resident in Canton, and at great trouble, convenience and expense to himself, he took energetic measures to gather the almost dying embers together and fan the flame of Masonry which had burned clearly and brightly in this Colony. He accepted the Mastership of the Lodge and for two years, he came punctually from Canton for every meeting, not only on regular nights, but also for Lodges of Emergency, and when his term of office ended, he had the satisfaction of seeing the Lodge firmly established with a Master in charge well fitted to follow in his footsteps.
The encomiums passed by Bro. Kingsmill on Brothers Rawson and Mercer were well deserved. With the Right Wor. Brother Rawson's assumption of office, an era of prosperity dawned for the Lodge. Bro. Rawson was succeeded by Brother Mercer, and the Lodge still has a memento of him on the Master's and Warden's pedestals. During his time, original lectures and addresses on the subject of masonic science were delivered from time to time.
The subsequent history of Freemasonry in Hongkong will appear in a series of articles to be published within the next few days.
When the Zetland Lodge celebrated its golden jubilee on March 21, 1896, Wor. Bro. Arthur, addressing a Grand Banquet gave an interesting sketch of the Lodge's history. Yesterday's article, based on Bro. Arthur's address, dealt with the establishment and early growth of Freemasonry in Hongkong.
It was shown how the Lodge occupied hired rooms for a number of years and was forced to move from place to place.
Early in 1850, said Bro. Arthur, "The Lodge decided to build premises of its own, and the site we now occupy was acquired by lease from Bro. Tarrant. The foundation stone was laid on February 1, 1853, with full Masonic honours, by Right Wor. Bro. Rawson, Provincial Grand Master, the occasion being the most imposing Masonic function which has ever been held in the Colony. The Lodge was opened at 11 o'clock in the morning, a large number of members and visitors being in attendance. The secretary having read the dispensation, dated Canton, January 9, 1853, permitting the brethren to wear Masonic clothing at the ceremony and at the ball to be held in the evening, a procession was formed, headed by the bands of the 59th Regiment and the United States man-of-war, Susquehanna, and proceeded to the site of the projected buildings.
Amongst the brethren of Zetland Lodge present, it may be mentioned was His Highness, Prince William of Hesse.
"After the prayer of the G.A.U. Bro. Tarrant the Secretary, read the inscription and just as H.M.S. Cleopatra made the signal that the sun was at its meridian and the bells proclaimed high noon, the upper stone descended to its place and...
Continuation.
It was resolved to keep Zetland Lodge open until the following St. John's Day. The Rt. Wor. Bro Lawson the Provincial Grand Master, who resided at Canton, was then elected a member and also to the chair.
In 1875 Bro. Kingsmill, addressing the District Grand Lodge paid glowing tributes to the work of Brothers S. Rawson and W. T. Mercer. It was difficult he said to say to which of these brethren Masonry in China was most indebted. There was a time, he declared when Masonry in Hongkong was like the dying Flame of a candle, flickering in the socket and there was no one to work the solitary Lodge which existed in the place.
ro. Rawson was then resident in Canton, and at great trouble
convenience and expense to himself, he took energetic measu- res to gather the almost dying embers together and fan the fla- me of Masonry which had burned clearly and brightly in this Colony. He accepted the Mastership of the Lodge and for two years, he came punctually from Canton for every meeting, not only on regular nights, but also for Lodtes of Emergency, and when his term of office ended, he had the satisfaction of seeing the Lodge firmly established with a Master in charge well fitted to follow in his foot■teps.
The encomiums passed by Bro. Kingsmill on Brothers Raw- son and Mercer were well deserved. With the Right Wor. Bro- ther Rawson's assumption of office, an era of prosperity dawned for the Lodge. Bro. Rawson was succeeded by Brother Mercer, and the Lodge still has a memento of him on the Master's and Warden's pedestals. During his time, original lectures and addresses on the subject of masonic science were delivered from time to time.
The subsequent history of Freemasonry in Hongkong will pear in a series of articles to be published within the next ¿w days.
When the Zetland Lodge celebrated its golden jubilee on March 21, 1896, Wor. Bro. Arthur, addressing a Grand Banquet gave an interesting sketch of the Lodge's history, Yesterday's article, based on Bro. Arthur's address, dealt with the esta- blishment and early growth of Freemasonry in Hongkong.
It was shown how the Lodge occupied hired rooms for a number of years and was forced to move from place to place.
Early in 1850 " said Bro. Arthur, "The Lodge decided build premises of its won, and the site we now occupy was acquired by lease from Bro. Tarrant. The foundation, stone was laid on February 1, 1853, with full Masonic honours, by Right Wor. Bro. Rawson, Provincial Grand Master, the occasion being de the most imposing Masonic function which has ever been old in the Colony. The Lodge was opened at 11 o'clock in the morning, a large number of members and visitors being in atten- dance. The secretary having read the dispensation, dated Can- ton, January 9, 1853, permitting the brethren to wear Masonic clothing at the ceremony and at the ball to be held in the eve- ning, a procession was formed, headed by the bands of the 59th Regiment and the United States man-of-war, Susquehanna, and
roceeded to the site of the projected buildings.
Amongst the brethren of Zetland Lodge present, it may mentioned was His Highness, Prince William of Hesse.
to
"After the prayer of the G.A.U. Bro. Tarrant the Secre- ary, read the inscription and just as H.M.S. Cleopatra made the signal that the sun was at its meridian and the bells pro- claimed high noon, the upper stone descended to its place and
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