Rulers In The Craft

RULERS IN THE CRAFT

Bro . THOMAS B . TIPTON , although initiated so recently as 18 94 , has during that short period shown much active interest in Masonry . His introduction to the Craft took place in the Eccleston Lodge , No . 1624 , and the following year Bro . Tipton became a founder of the Piccadill y Lodge , No . 2550 , and was appointed to the office of Junior Deaconrising through the

, intermediate offices to the position of Worshipful Master . He also took part in founding the Royal Warrant Holders' Lodge , No . 2789 , a lodge composed principally of those members of business firms who have the honour to hold Royal Warrants .

Bro . Lieut .-Col . ALEXANDER FINLAY enjoys the distinction of being the first Worshipful Master of St . Martin ' s Lodge , No . 2812 , which was consecrated at Fenny Stratford , Buckinghamshire , in July this year , the RAV . Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Lord Addington , performing the ceremony . Bro . Finlay had already occupied the chair of St . George's and Corner-stone Lodge , No . 5 , and is also a P . Z . of the

Royal Arch Chapter attached to the lodge , as well as Prov . Grand Sojourner of the Province of Bucks . He has been specially fortunate in securing the loyal support , during the first year of the lodge ' s existence , of an able staff of officers , and the new lodge has , we feel certain , a long and useful career before it . Bro . Finlay is a J . P . for Bucks , and Beds ., and is deservedly popular in the district .

Bro . Lieut .-Col . G . S . PARKYX ' connection with the Craft dates from 186 4 , in which year he was initiated in the British Kaffrariau Lodge , No . 853 . Three years later he joined St . John Lodge , No . 828 , Grahamstown , and became Senior Warden . Ordered to Hong Kong , lie joined in 186 9

Victoria Lodge , No . 1026 , as well as the United Service Lodge , No . 1341 . Returning to England , he joined successively St . George ' s Lodge , No . 112 , Exeter ; Aldershot Army and Navy Lodge , No . 1971 ; Pentangle Lodge , No . n 74 , Chatham ; One and All Lodge , No . 330 , Bodmin ; and Fort Lodge , No . 1528 , Newquay , but it was not until 18 9 6 that

Bro . Parkvn's professional avocations permitted him to occupy the chair of a lodge , and he was then elected Worshipful Master of the Fort Lodge , Newquay , Cornwall , and the following year was appointed Provincial Grand Sword Bearer of Cornwall . In the same year he joined the Cornish Lodge , No . 2369 , in London , and in 18 99 he founded the Nil Sine Labori Lodge , No . 2706 , London , and St . Michael ' s Lodge , No . 2747 , Newquay , becoming the first Worshipful Master of the former , and acting as I . P . M . in the latter .

When we add that Bro . Parkvn is also a member of the Prince of Wales ' s Lodge , No . 259 , and was , at the Festival of Grand Lodge in April last year appointed Grand Sword Bearer of England , we are not sure that we have quite completed the record of his services to the Craft . His record in the Royal Arch , of which Order he has been also

an active member in many chapters , dates from 1866 , but it was not until 18 99 he was installed as First Principal of St . Petrock ' s Chapter , No . 330 , Bodmin . In the same year he received the appointment of Grand Sword Bearer of the Supreme Grand Chapter . The Ancient and Accepted Rite and the Mark Degree also claim him as a member . The

Charitable side of Masonry has not been overlooked , the Life Governorships of the Girls' School and of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and the Vice-Presidency of the Boys' School , besides numerous Stewardships , testifying to his zeal and generosity . Bro . Parkyn is now serving at Woolwich as D . A . A . G . for transport on the staff of the Quarter-Master-General of the Forces ,