TLAND
327
FOUNDATION OF ZETLAND HALL
{FREEMASONRY
(All Rights of Reproduction are Strictly Reserved}
In a series of articles on local Freemasonry included in "Old Hongkong" from August 29 to September 1, last year, mention was made of the laying of the original foundation stone of Zetland Hall in 1853. As stated at the time, the premises were rebuilt as they appear to-day in 1865, but the ceremony of eighty-two years ago, was a historic one in the Craft, for it marked the erection of the first premises owned by the Masonic fraternity in the Colony.
In looking through some old files, a report of the ceremony has been found, and in view of several recent installations which have taken place the subject becomes the more topical and the full report of the proceedings might be given here. It states:
On Tuesday last, the 1st February of 1853, a very interesting ceremony was witnessed on the occasion of the Brethren laying the Foundation Stone of a Masonic Lodge in this Colony. The procession was formed a little before high noon in front of the house in the Queen's Road now occupied as the Lodge; the Tyler leading the way, followed by the Band of 59th Regiment, playing the "Entered Apprentice's March"; next came Masons, non-members of either lodge; then the Banner and the Brethren of the Royal Sussex Lodge of Canton No. 735; this portion of the line closing with Brother Luce, the Worshipful Master of the Sussex Lodge. After him came the Band of U. S. Steam Frigate Susquehanna, and the Brethren of the Zetland Lodge of Hongkong No. 768 preceded by their banner, and followed by Brother Mercer, Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master bringing up the rear. The stone was laid in due form and at the conclusion of the ceremony, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Rawson addressed those present, strangers as well as brethren, in a brief but appropriate speech; in which he drew the attention of the former to the fact that the many eminent men, distinguished for piety as well as for station and talent, who had ranked among the brotherhood ought to be sufficient guarantee that there is nothing but what is praiseworthy in the bonds by which Masons are united, while their mysteries and solemnities are such as exclusively affect themselves.
He then complimented the Worshipful Master and Officers of the Zetland Lodge on the zeal and unanimity they had displayed which had not only revived the expiring Masonic flame in this Colony, but invested it with a lustre it had never before attained; and wound up by tendering his cordial wishes for increase of prosperity to the body in Hongkong. The procession was again arranged and the Band of the Susquehanna performed on the homeward route.
On their return to the Lodge, Brother Mercer in an eloquent speech acknowledged the important services rendered to the cause of Masonry in China in general, and to the Zetland Lodge of Hongkong in particular, by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grandmaster; and in acknowledgment of the deep obligation under which he and ...
TLAND
327
FOUNDATION OF ZETLAND HALL
{FREEMASONRY
(All Rights of Reproduction are Strictly Reserved }
In a series of articles on local Freemasonry included in "Old Hongkong " from August 29 to September 1, last year, mention was made of the laying of the original foundation stone of Zet- land Hall in 1853. As stated at the time; thepremises were rebuilt as they appear to-day in 1865, but the ceremony of eighty-two years ago, was a historic one in the Craft, for it marked the erection of the first premises owned by the Masonic fraternity in the Colony.
In looking rhough some old files, a report of the ceremony has been found, and in view of several recent installations which have taken place the subject becomes the more t opical and the full report of theproceedings might be given here. It states:
On Tuesday last, the 1st February of
1 1853) a very interes- ing ceremony was witnessed on theocation of the Brethren laying the Foundation Stone of a Masonic Lodge in this Colony. The procession was formed a little before high noon in front of the house in the Queen's Road now occupied as the Lodge the Tyler leading the wayk followed by the Band of 59th Regiment, playing the " Entered Apprentice's March" next came Masons, non-mem- bers of either lodge; then the Banner and the Brethren of the Royal Sussex Lodge of Canton No. 735 this portion of the line closing with Brother Luce, the Worshipful Master of the Sussex Lodge. After him came the Band of U. S. Steam Frigate Susque- hanna, and the Brethren of the Zetland, Lodge of Hongkong No. 768 preceded by their banner, and followed by Brother Mercer, Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master bringing up the rear. The stone was laid in due form and at the conclusion of the ceremony, Right Worshipful Rovincial BrandMaster Rawson addres- sed those present strangers as well as brethren in a brief but appropirate speech; in which he drew the attention of the
ormer to the fact that the many eminent men, distinguished for ety as well as for station and talent, who had ranked among he brotherhood ought ot be sufficient guarantee athat there is nothing but what is paiseworthy in the bonds by which Masons
re united, while their mysteries and solemnities are such as xclusively affect themselves.
He then complimented the Worshipful Master and Officers of the Zetland Lodge on the zeal and unanimity they had displayed which had not only revived the expiring Masonic flame in this Colony, but invested it with a lustre it had never before attai-
ed; and would up by tendering his cordial wishes for increase of prosperity to the body in Hongkong. The procession was again arranged and the Band of the Susquehanna performed on the homeward route.
On their return to the Lodge, Brother Mercer in an eloquent speech acknowledged the important services rendered to the cause of Masonry in China in general, and to the Zetland/ of Hongkong
Lodge
in particular, by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grandmaster and in acknowledgment of the deep obligation under which he and
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.