English Freemasons In The Holy Land.

Greeks and Mohammedans in their picturesque costumes . The name of each brother was called at the entrance to the Q uarries—a low doorway cut in the rock — which was guarded by the Tyler , whose costume was very striking . Bro . R . R . G . Palmer , P . M ., of the Royal Solomon Mother Lodge , having tendered the following interesting note :

Our Lodge vvould have a far greater interest for English Masons if it vvas working under the English Constitution instead of the Grand Lodge of Canada . There is a scheme in hand to get up a Royal Arch Chapter in Jerusalem , and it is not using extravagant language to say that such a Chapter once founded vvill become a great force in the Masonic world . It vvould be a great pity if this Chapter vvere founded under any other but the English Constitution , and it behoves English Craftsmen to seize the opportunity of being the first in the field .

The lodge was opened in the First and Second Dagrees without going thfough the necessary steps . Bro . KAYAT , the W . M . of the mother lodge , then read a paper , in the course of which he said :

In your name , Brethren of Royal Solomon Mother Lodge , I address myself to our honoured and welcome visitors here present , and say : Brethren from the West , who have travelled eastward to this ancient centre and cradle of Masonic science and light , accept our hearty felicitations on the most praiseworthy zeal vvhich has brought you hither . In order to assist you in your researches for light during the short stay you must necessarily make with us , I vvould take the liberty

of calling your attention to some of the most interesting points for your study . We are now assembled within the very Quarry vvhere the ancient Craftsmen of King Solomon ' s days laboured each in his little corner , illuminated only by a little oil lamp , the resting place and soot of which has remained to this day , in order to hew silently and unobserved ( for good work is silent and unobtrusive ) the great stones for that great edifice , vvhich vvas one of the wonders of the world ,

the chief centre of true spiritual and intellectual light , ' and vvhich , though now in ruins , is one day ( I trust not far distant ) , to be rebuilt by the exertions of the brethren of the Craft . The old Masters have left the Quarries , but you may still see the marks they have left behind them , not only here , but in almost every nook and corner of the sacred city : and there , underground indeed , but none the less

intact and well-preserved , you see the ancient gates of the ancient Temple ; whilst deep underground , buried from So to no feet below the present surface , lie the ancient and massive blocks , vvhich silently , without the sound of " metal " being heard , our brethren piled up as an enduring monument of their knowledge and industry .

After the reading of the paper in the Quarries Bro . C J . MARTYN , Past Grand Chaplain of England and Deputy Prov . Grand Master of Suffolk , returned thanks to the W . M . of the King Solomon Mother Lodge for his kindness in inviting the Masons of the various lodges assembled to that intensely interesting gathering . The lodge vvas unique—standing there , as they did , in the glorious Temple so full of hallowed associations . Having referred to the different nationalities represented , Bro . Martyn

promised a hearty welcome in England for any Eastern brother who came across to the British Isles . They would carry away with them to their different lodges pleasant Masonic recollections of their stay in Jerusalem . Bro . the Ven . Archdeacon STEVENS referred in interesting terms to the labour which had been carried on in those Quarries . He also spoke of the pillars of the Temple which had been hewn there . He was glad to be privileged to witness these scenes , and he hoped to go back a better Christian and also a better Mason .

Bro . CHARLES COWEN said that he considered the spot on which they stood as the greatest Masonic Temple . Bro . E . S . WALLACE responded on behalf of the members of the R . S . M . L ., and subsequently Bro . Lieut .-Col . R . NEWTON , Acting P . G . M . for Notts , speaking as a Mason of 40 years' standing , said he had considered the voyage a duty , and was sure the visit would create universal interest .

At thc close of the lodge the brethren were all photographed outside the Quarries . During the process of photography , groups of the curious stood around , and one of the interested spectators , vvho spoke a few words of English , said he was a " member of the Greek Orthodox Church , " and

wanted to know if those " peoples "—pointing at the brethren , vvho were posing in their bright-coloured regalia—vvere high priests . The " native " mixed crowd which waited around whiled away the time occupied by the brethren inside the lodge by fighting fiercely among themselves , stones being freely used to emphasise a protest or an argument .

lhe photographer having well and truly performed his task , Bro . Chevalier Alexander Howard , of Howard ' s Hotel , invited the brethren to dinner at his hotel , and a pleasant evening was spent . In Egypt the brethren visited the lodges at Cairo , and were most cordially received , in one instance , £ 200 being voted and collected for their entertainment .

Craft Masonry

Craft Masonry

Honour and Generosity Lodge , No . 165 . A meeting of this ancient and distinguished lodge took place at the Inns of Court Hotel , Lincoln's Inn Fields , on the 22 nd ult ., when there were present Bros . Frank E . Rosher , VV . M . : A . P . Crabb , S . VV . ; F . Howard Kosher , | . VV . ; J . Woodhouse , J . D . ; J . W . II . Thompson , P . M ., Treas . ; Richard Eve , P . G . T . ; F . T . Bag Rallay , I . P . M . ; Hy . Times , P . M . ; R . A . Buth , P . M . ; Hy . Beanian , C . J . Andrews , A . Spencer Ellam , II . VV . Clarkson , L . I . N . Norman , li . B . Van Pragh , C . II . Simmons ,

VV . IVI . mompson , J . VV . Ellis , and K . li . CioUdard , lyler . lhe visitors were Bros . J . A . Harrison , P . M . 24 SS ; Alfred Love , P . M . 1791 ; F . Franklin , 1319 ; liy . Parker , O . B . Cuvilje , 1 ; Keginald , ; Groome , 1929 ; VV . T . Clifford , 765 ; II . Valentine dc Satgi ; H . S . Simmons , 24 . S . S ; H . Ellis , S . VV . 142 ; J . 11 . Ford , 2032 ; VV . Woolley , 20 ; F . II . Callingham , 17 O 9 ; R . Ganthony , ID . II . Lawrance ( New South VVales ) , and R . T . West , 1744 . After the usual lormalities , the W . M ., Bio . Frank E . Rosher , passed Bros . II . VV . Clarkson and L . 1 . N . Norman to the Second Degree , and initiated Mr . J . \ V . Ellis , and afterwards gave the ancient chaige . The woiking of the VV . M . was of tin * very

best . Other business followed , after which the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a superb banquet . 'The VVoishipful Master gave with commendable brevity the customary loyal and Mase nic toasts . Bio . R . Eve , P . G . Treas ., replied for " 'The Grand Officers . " Bro . R . A . Buth , P . M ., gave " 'Ihe W . M ., Bro . Frank E . Rosher , " and said it was beyond doubt the most impoitant toast of the evening . It would take him too long to iaie ins

cnumc- an good qualities , and the lodge was to lie congratulated on liaving such an excellent W . M . He was youthful and had plenty of energy , and he embellished the chair ; he did his work thoroughly , and what they had had that evening was given in a splendid manner ; he had brought in some good initiates , and he always gave them a grand musical entertainment .

Craft Masonry

In response , Bro . Frank E . Rosher , W . M ., said he hardly knew how to thank them for the kind way they had received the toast . He had done his best to carry out the duties of his office , and if his small efforts met with their appreciation , that was his reward . The W . M . proposed " The Past Masters , " and said they had an exceptionally good muster of Past Masters , and in coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Bush , who had acted as I . P . M ., in the absence of Bro . Baggallay , vvho could not stop for the banquet , he observed that the way Bro . Bush had proposed the toast of " The VV . M ., " showed what an excellent Master he vvas when in the chair .

Bro . R . A . Bush , P . M ., responded . Ha said that _ acting as I . P . M . that ni ght made him feel young again , but as a P . M ., it reminded him that 25 years ago he and the W . M . were school boys together , and on behalf of all the Past Masters he thanked them sincerely for the way they had received the toast . Bro . I . VV . H . Thompson , P . M ., at the request of the VV . M ., submitted the toasf

of "The Initiates . " He stated that they had the pleasure of listening to the ancient charge vvhich was given by the VV . M . in a way second to none . The members trusted they were all thorough Masons and they received the initiate , Bro . Ellis , with the ri ghl hand of friendship , and they all hoped one day to see him installed in the chair of that his mother lodge .

Bro . J . VV . Ellis , vvho vvas accorded a hearty reception , responded . He said that he vvas not able to lay claim to grey hairs not being a Past Master . He vvas honoured to have been elected and he hoped to be a good member and to live up to the princi ples of their grand Order and he was proud to have been admitted into Masonry thiough such an excellent lodge as theirs appeared to be . ln giving "The Visitors" the Worshipful Master said that many had been invited

but they had received letters regretting their inability to attend from Bros . Fred . Wes-P . G . D . ; H . J . Coburn , H . C . Richards , M . P ., L . Burgh , Sir Simon Stuart , Godfrey Sykes , Hulbert , and S . Webb . Those present were a good representative body , they were honoured with their company and he hoped to see them there again on many future occasions . He trusted they had enjoyed themselves , vvhich would induce them to com ; again , and hc joined with the toast the name of Bro . O . B . Cuvilje .

Bro . Cuvilje , in responding , stated that he vvould like to have uttered a few words to acknowledge the toast but the music had taken them away . He had been a Mason for a number of years but he could not recollect ever spending a pleasanter evening , He was not a stranger to many there and he knew the VV . M . outside Masonry and he vvas delighted to see him in the chair vvhich he so ably filled . He would be glad to see him and any of the members at his lodge to return their hospitality .

Bro . D . Ii . Lawrance said he vvas a Mason from the other end of the world , and hs vvas pleased to see a member there that evening whom he had met in Australia , where they prided themselves on their musical entertainments ; but he was much surprised and gratified with the grand entertainment they had provided , and he thanked them all heartily for the way the visitors had been received . ' * The Ofiicers" was next given by the W . M . in appropriate terms , coupling with the toast the name of the S . W ., Bro . A . P . Crabb , vvho responded in brief , but happy , terms .

The Tyler ' s toast brought to an end a very enjoyable and successful evening . The intervals between the toasts were enlivened by some excellent songs from Miss Nellie Groome , daughter of Bro . Reginald Groome—her first appearance in Masonic circles—who had a most enthusiastic reception , and her charming singing gained her a well-deserved encore ; Bros . Reginald Groome , Robert Ganthony , Franklin Clive , Parker , and II . VV . Clarkson also contributed to the harmony of the meeting .

Lome Lodge , No . 1347 . A regular meeting ot this lodge vvas held at the Masonic Hall , Sutton , on Saturday , the 12 th instant , when the VV . M ., Bro . T . S . Cookes , occupied the chair , and vvas supported by the following : Bros . II . Griffiths , S . VV . ; J . II . Asman , J . W . j Rev . II . W . Turner , M . A ., P . M ., Treas . ; C . A . Hardwick , P . M ., Sec . ; TL VV . Lofts , S . ID . ; E . D . Frost , P . M ., D . C . ; G . W . Dixon , P . M ., A . D . C . ; T . R . Porter , I . G . j VV . Howard Smith , D . Napper , and T . E . Leigh , Stewards ; Hugh Taylor , I . P . M . ; A . Stribling , P . M . ; T . A . Hill , P . M . ; R . J . Ward , P . M . ; E . J . Lowther , P . M . ; A . S . Stubir-gton , F . N . Smyth , VV . Sabine , A . Van Weede , VV . J . Goatcher , VV . Van

Oppen , VV . j . Whitfield , G . Bower , J . F . Van Oppen , C . Puce , | . H . Hayes , J . ] . S . Forrester , R . K . Ward , R . G . Goatcher , C . E . Stribling , E . M . Gibson , jun ., A . j . Parker , R . R . Banks , G . R . Forster , A . Clark , T . L . Rowse , J . G . Spencer , F . G . Whitfield , VV . J . Jones , and N . B . Payne , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . J . D . Langton , P . M ., P . D . G . D . C ; T . Smith , P . M . 30 ; E . Ansted , P . M . Oj ; VV . R . Bennett , 25 S 0 ; E . Bridger , 130 a ; C . L . Johnson , SS 9 ; T . Roe , P . M . 1 O 41 ; J . C . Buckwell , P . M , 17 . 17 ; G . II . Levett , 311 ; G . J . Girton , 1572 ; R . VV . Ker , VV . VI . 11 * 4 ; VV . W . Walmiiley , 90 ; VV . Dennis , W . M . 2473 ; and A . R . Jackson , late 1347 .

The lodge having been opened , the minutes of thc last regular meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for four brethren as joining members , viz ., liros . J . F . Van Oppen , P . M . 12 and 1553 , P . D . G . Sec , P . D . D . G . M . Argentine Republic ; J . A . Formoy , 2 S ; VV . | J . Jones , late 231 S ; and VV . Sabine , 2264 , who were all unanimously elected . Six brethren presented themselves to be raised to the Sublime

Degree of M . M . The ceremony was gone through three times , Bro . A . Stribling taking two—Bros . A . Van Weede and VV . Van Oppen—the next two—Bros . VV . J . Goatchtr and VV . J . Whitfield—being raised by the I . P . M ., Bro . Hugh Taylor , and the VV . M . performed the ceremony for Bros . A . J . Palker and A . S . Stubington . The ritual was ably carried out by all , the musical service ad'iing considerably to the solemnity ol the proceedings .

The brethren adjourned to the banqueting-hall , where an excellent dinner had h -en provided by the Hall Company , to which about Ou sat down , and an enjoyable evei . inj ; was spent , under the genial chairmanship of the VV . M . The musical programme was again a special enjoyment to the members and visitors , and it would be hard to lind more musical talent in any London or provincial luJ ( , ' - The arrangements vvere under the direction of Bro . T . A . Hill , P . P . G . Org ., who was ably assisted by Bros . Ward , P . M . ; Asman , Forrester , Bower , Forster , Gibson , Jan ., and others .

Shirley Woolmer Lodge , No . 2530 . A meeting was held at St . John's I lall , Sidcup , on Tuesday , the 15 th inst . '•> " >¦ R . H . Hale , S . VV ., was unanimously elected to tie office of VV . M . for the ensuing yea' - Bro . Hale , in returning thanks , said he was sensible of the honour they had dsne Inland he should endeavour during his year of ollice , to the | best of his ability , to give satisfaction to the lodge , and exert himself for the good of Freemasonry in that nei |* li !' ' ' hood . Bro . E . lilanks , P . M ., was re-elected Treasurer . On the motion of lira , Sandercock , P . M ., it vvas resolved to present liro . A . Sharp , VV . M ., with a l ' - " Master ' s jewel for his able services during the past year . After business vvas over a banquet vvas held , at which the ( usual ) Masonic y >&™ were given , with songs by Messrs . Montague Borwell , VV . Leet , R . Ashton , and 1 •"' Sandercock .

The Great City Lodge , No . 1426 . The last meeting of this lodge for the present season was held at Cannon-sire * - ' Hotel , un Saturday , the 12 th inst ., when Bro . G . Mackenzie Eraser , VV . M ., prt * -H R-J . supported by the following : Bros . J . 11 . Guyton , S . W . ; Rhys Thomas , | AV- > . , Fendick , P . M ., Treas . ; J . K . Gwyn , P . M ., Sec . ; Jas . 1 ! * vt . * n , S . D . ; F . G . I >' J . D . ; VV . Parton , l . G . ; Alf . F . Randall , D . C . ; S . VV . Newcomb , Org . ; l !} " ; Halliwell , Stwd . ; R . Potter , P . M ., Tyler ; G . VV . Blackie . ? P . M . ; Frank E . i . ' - . >' I . P . M . ; Robert Greening , P . M . ; John Seex , P . M . ; Gale , Greenwood , G '" ' ^ Nazer , Ilill-Ilartland , Simpson , Featherstone , Maynard , Hooper , and l-. J > y ? . ?'

Visitors : Bros . R . C . Jones , 2 . ) ' ) - ' ; J . Hallows , 19 S 2 ; E . C . Jenkins , 14-l'J ; *¦ ' Wood , 24 S 0 ; J . C . Yates , P . M . 13 O 0 ; P . Salvage , 170 . ";; and W . Lloyd , P . M- '"'_ The minutes of the meeting of thc 12 th ult . having been read and confirmed- 1 ' J . II . Guyton , S . W ., P . M . S 117 , was unanimously elected Master for thc ensuing LV - ' ^ ' Brn . R . Fendick , P . M ., was unanimously re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . R- '' , '\ i ' P . M ., Tylcr . Bros . F . E . Bailey , I . P . M ., R . Brookman , P . M ., and J . K . Gwyn , 1 ^ Sec , were re-appointed Almoners ; and Bros . Greenwood , Nazer , and Edwards 1 elected on the Audit Committee . The report of the Committee appointed to c 0 , r- j Cf the best way of celebrating the 25 th anniversary of the consecration of '" . , | , of recommending that it should be celebrated by a river trip and banquet , to OJ