Masonic Jottings During The Siege Of Ladysmith.

An emergency meeting of the Ladysmith Lodge of M . M . M ., No . 52 S , was held on Saturday , the 23 rd December , being the 34 th day of the seige . W . Bro . Capt . G . Hearn , P . M ., P . A . G . D . of Cer ., W . M ., presided , and was supported bv the following members of the lodge : Bros . J . Wallace Bradley , Dist . G . Secretary ; Dr . Rouillard , Robert King , J . B . Suigeson , Chas . Lewis , S . W . Sutton , W . H . Miller , W . Udal , O . Davis ,

and the following visitors : Bros . Jno . Gillman , Natalia Lodgs , No . 252 , Dist . G . I . of Wks . ; Major St . Clair Savile , ( R . ' A . ) , Ramsay Lodge ( Malta ) , No . 248 ; A . F . Wickham , Mallet and Chisel Lodge ( Poona ) , No . 134 ; J . S . Dunn , Love and Honour Lodge , No . 94 ; and Captains Lyle and Currie , Thistle Lodge , No . 269 ( S . C ) . Bros . Alec Maurice Holloway , M . M . of the Johannesburg Lodge , No . 2313 , and A . McClellan ,

Umlazi Lodge , No . 197 C , were duly elected , and advanced to the Degree of a M . M . M . Letters of apology were read from several brethren for nonattendance . The W . M . said he had to announce , with great regret , that since the last meeting the Boers had managed to put a shell into the new Masonic Temple they were building , which had caused considerable damage . There being no other business the lodge was closed , the brethren singing the National Anthem .

It was found impossible to hold the regular meeting of the Klip River County Lodge in January , as the Royal Hotel had been taken over by the military . The February regular meeting was held in the usual place of meeting , viz ., the old Wesleyan Chapel , on the 19 th February , being the 113 th day of the siege . The attendance was not so numerous as on previous occasions , owing to the great number of brethren

who were on the sick list . W . Bro . Capt . Hearn , P . M ., P . G . S . B . Eng ., presided , being supported by Bros . King , W . H . Miiler , Chas . Lewis , H . R . Burrow Ward , A . G . Smith , F . Reid , and Thos . Cairns . Amongst the visitors were Bros . Captain Waterman , 5 th Lancers , P . M ., H . Tatham , Major Watkins Pikford , and Lieut . Walters , of the Natalia Lodge , No 16 C 3 ; Thos . Langton , Prince Alfred Lodge , No . 73 G '; J . Wallace

Bradley , Addington Lodge , No . 1937 ; W . Bro . Chas . Wilson and W . G . Wilton , Biggarsberg Unity , No . 20 S 4 ; P . Sharpe , St . Fergus , No . 466 ( S . C ); A . Thomas , Victoria , No . S 32 ; J . Maley , Malwa , No . 139 ; M . H . Tyler , Ouetta , No . 233 . 3 ; J . Tocher , P . M . Mayo , No . 140 ( 1 ; J . Moore , Bangalore , No . 104 , 3 i ' '• ! - ¦ Foxon , Ixopo , No . 2515 ; Jno . Adams , Aldershot Camp , No . 1331 ; and others . The lodge having been opened , and some routine work completed , the W . M . in the chair said he would ask

W . Bro . Captain Waterman to take his place , as he had to return to camp on duty . VV . Bro . Captain Waterman then passed Bios , the Rev . D . McVarish , Thos . Cairns , and F . Reid . W . Bro . Surjeon J . Torcher then took the chair , and raised Bro . Lieut . Lang-Sims to the Sublime Degree of a M . M . Seveial candidates having been proposed , the lodge was closed , the National Anthem having been sung , and every brother sincerely wishing that this was the last lodge meeting during the siege of Ladysmith .

Consecration Of The Elmete Lodge Of Royal Ark Mariners At Leeds.

CONSECRATION OF THE ELMETE LODGE OF ROYAL ARK MARINERS AT LEEDS .

Following closely upon the formation of the new Mark lodge at Haworth in West Yorkshire , we now chronicle the consecration of the Elmete Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners at Leeds . The Degrees associated with the Mark naturally advance pari passu with it , and the condition of matters at the present moment in this relation stands forth in startling contrast to that

which was exhibited only a few years ago . In West Yorkshire there are now four nourishing Ark Mariner lodges , whilst the Allied Degrees , having two organisations , are making very satisfactory progress . It is possible there may be differences of opinion as to the use or value of these LO-called side

Degrees ,. and their origin may , and sometimes doubtless is , challenged , but there can be no question as to their increasing popularity . The Elmete Lodge has sprung from the Copley Mark Lodge , No . 111 , but hopes to draw members from the sister lodge , St . Chad , 374 , also in Leeds , and from the neighbouring towns of Wakefield , Castleford , Dewsbury , and Batley .

The consecration of the new lodge took place at the Masonic Hall , Carlton Hill , on Wednesday , the 21 st instant , and was very well attended . The founders were seven in number , comprising the R . W . Prov . G . Mark Master , Bto . C Letch Mason ; his Deputy , Bro . John Barker ; and Bros .

\\ . Sykes Bailey , P . M ., R . J . Smith , P . M ., T . A . Wilhey , F . Hinchliffe , and C Grosvcnor . Amongst other brethren picseut were Bros . J . Leech Atherton , P . C . N . ; G . H . Parke , Member of Council ; T . Norfolk , C . \ . ; Joseph Mathewman , Prov . G . Sec . ; T . G . Howell , C . N . elect ; A . J . Terry , W . S . Milligan , Joseph Smith , and George Whitaker .

Prr . \ ; i us to the ccnsrcration a lodge was opened by dispensation for the purpose cf elevating a number of candidates who were wishful to become members . There were 17 names on the circular , and of these 11 were in attendance . The ceremony was conducted by Bro . J L . Atherton as W . C . N ., Bro . B . S . Bailey taking the chair of J ., and Bro . R . J . Smith that of S . Bros . A . I . Terry and T . G . Howell acted as Deacons , and Bro .

G . Whitaker took the post of Guardian . The candidates were Bros . VV . Flockton , W . M . ; J . K . Cawthom , J . O . ; Geo . Tooley , S . D . ; R . Tasker , J D . ; H . Appleyard , and F . T . Whe-ler , all of Copley , No . 111 ; W . VV . Clayton , P . M . ; M . A . Brigg , P . M . ; and J . \ V . Smith , S . W ., St . Chad , No . 374 ; and G . H . Schofield , P . M ., and A . G . Mabin , P . M ., Legiolium , No . ^ . 37 Castleford .

, Notwithstanding the number of candidates , the ceremony was conducted with the reverence and decorum which the language of this beautiful Degree demands , and Bro . Alhtrton and his officers discharged their duties most efficiently . With seven founder . ; and the 11 newly elevated brethren , the Elmete

Lodge had a membership of iS , and ihe Prov . Gi . ind Master at once proceeded to consecrate it . He was most ably assisted by Bro . ] . Leech Atherton , who acted as Chaplain , and B'o . Thos . Norfolk , who efficiently discharged the duty ol D . ol Ceres . The usual perambulations were made , ihe bearers of the corn , wine , oil , and salt , being Bros . G . H . Parke , A . J . ' 1 erry , T . G . Howell , and VV . S . Milligan .

Consecration Of The Elmete Lodge Of Royal Ark Mariners At Leeds.

After solemnly dedicating and constituting the lodge , the PROV . GRAND MASTER made a few observations to the brethren . He took occasion to remind them how little is known as to the history and origin of Freemasonry . " Freemasonry , " con linued Bro . Mason , " traditionally goes back to the earliest ages , is associated with the very dawn of civilisation , is the fountain of light or knowledge , and is professedly traced in the mysteries or religious

ceremonies of the Egyptians , Tyrians , Persians , Greeks , Romans , and early Christians . Traditionally and with some show of historical probability , it claims all this , but when it comes to evidence ; when we examine facts , search old documents and , discarding romantic theories , apply the light ol reason and common sense we are forced to the conclusion that there is no historical evidence that Freemasonry as a society existed previous to , say ,

the 14 th century . If this is so with regard to what we commonly call the Craft , what can be said for the Royal Arch , the Mark , the Royaf Ark Mariners , and the Allied Degrees ? All , it seems to me , date their commencement from ( at the earliest ) 1740 . Even the Royal Arch , so far as the latest researches go , cannot show an origin or an existence even previous to that time . But it may be said ' has tradition no value 1 ' According to the Grand

Lodge Calendar St . Alban formed a lodge in Britain in A . D . 287 ; King Athelstan granted the Freemasor . s a charter in 926 , and a Grand Lodge was formed at York , under Prince Edwin , in that same year . This is tradition . Take it for what it is worth . Many instances of extraordinary traditional stories might be culled from Rabbinical and other writers , but citi bono ! Traditions they are , and

traditions they must apparently remain . And so with much of our Freemasonry we must accept the fact that it is largely founded on tradition . But need we reject it on that account 1 By no means . Let the origin he what it may , the definition as an ethical system is maintained—it is a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols ; it teaches the common humanity of man and inculcates that excellent gift of Charity which

thinketh no evil . Brethren , we have all of us I do not doubt , been impressed by the sublime language and sublimer teachings which are found in our Masonic ceremonies . When you become better acquainted with this Degree you will , I think , bear me out , that its lessons are beautiful , and the words in which they are conveyed are in the highest degree poetical and soulinspiring . We will not then inquire too closely into the history of those

Degrees other than the Craft . They exist ; and we accept them , and , depend upon it , we may profit greatly by carrying out their principles . The Royal Ark Mariners Degree is worked and organised by the Grand Mark Lodge ol England , and each Royal Ark Mariners lodge must be attached to or affiliated with some lodge of the Mark Degree . To be a Royal Ark Mariner you must first be a Mark Mason . This is a sine qua / ton , the

reason for which is not q uite clear . Like many other things in relation to the Degree , it is left to conjecture . If some explanation of subjects like these , and an authoritative statement of the history of the formationor shall I say revival ?—of this Degree were put forth , I do not doubt it would be eagerly sought and read . Until comparatively recently there was only one Royal Ark Mariners lodge in West Yorkshire—at Sheffield .

Some few years ago I consecrated one at Halifax and another , which was attached to the Old York Lodge at Bradford . This last , like its parent lodge , has flourished exceedingly , and I have no hesitation in saying that largely to the success and enthusiasm of the Bradford Ark Mariners has the formation of the Elmete Lodge resulted . And that brings me to the name , which again presents difficulties . There is much that is traditional

about the so-called kingdom or district of Elmete . We have , however , names existing to-day with which the word is associated , as Loidis in Elmete , Barwick in Elmete , Sherburn in Elmete , and doubtless others ; but when we inquire into particulars of Elmete we find them scanty indeed . The version of its history which is Mattering to Leeds , but the authenticity of which I do not vouch for , is that Elmete was a district which may be

roughly described as the valley of the Aire from Bingley to its junction with the Ouse : that at the time when the blue-eyed Saxons ravaged the land , driving into the mountain fastnesses the ill-fated Britons , Elmete for years maintained its independence , was ruled by its own king , and , what is more , maintained its Christian religion . The capital of this district was Loidis , or Leeds , and this independence lasted until the days of

Athelstan . Barwick in Elmete , according to Dr . Whitaker , was the seat of the Northumbrian kings , founded as such probably after the conquest by the great Edwin himself , to whom , according to Masonic tradition , King Athelstan granted a Masonic charter . At Sherburn in Elmete Athelstan is said to have had a palace , but with Leeds there appears to be no existing association cither with the Saxon kings or with the still earlier British

rulers . The invasion and gradual spread of the Saxons commenced about 450 A . D ., and continued more or less for 150 years . During this period , according to the version alluded to , Elmete continued independent , and whilst the heathen marauders pulled down churches , burnt monasteries , and generally played havoc with the Christian religion , Elmete maintained its worship and protected its S 3 cred shrines . This happy condition of affairs

must have continued much longer , for Alhelstan ' s period does not commence umil some 31 ioyears later . This is a pleasant story , but difficult to substantiate . Like many matters in Freemasonry , it , too , must be taken for what it is worth . But that there was a district called Elmete , and probably a town or fort in it called Loidis , there seems no reason to disbelieve . Whether the Loidis of old stood on the site of the Leeds of to-day is a matter for conjecture . Let us , however , give ourselves the benefit of the doubt ; let us

believe that Leeds in those far-away days upheld the Cross of Christ when all around was Pagan darkness , and let us keep alive the name of the district which is said for years to have maintained itself a peaceful oasis in a desert of crime and bloodshed . As peace , love , and harmony ever should be characteristic of Masonic communities , so I think Elmete should ever remind us that we are expected to maintain that brotherly intercourse and lhat freedom from strife and dissension which must have prevailed in the old British kingdom bearing that ancient name . "

The next business was the installation of the first VV . C . N . of the new lodge . Bro . C . Letch Mason having intimated his willingness to accept the position , the brethren eagerly took advantage of his offer . Bro . Atherton , as Installing Master , at once took the chair , the W . C . N , designate being presented by Bro . G . H . Parke . Bro . Mason being a P . W . C . N ., the ceremony was of the briefest , and , in a few hearty and well-chosen words , Bro . Atherton placed Bro . Mason in the chair of N , wishing him every prosperity . Bro . Mason was then proclaimed and saluted .

Bro . J . W . Smith was unanimously elected Treasurer . The officers for the year were appointed and invested as follows : Bros . B . S . Bailey , J . ; Robert J . Smith , S . ; the Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., P . C . N ., Chap . ; J . W . Smith , Treas . ; T . A . Withey , Scribe ; Alfred J . Terry , S . D .: Wm ,