Women Freemasons.

WOMEN FREEMASONS ,

AT the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of New York , held in the capital of that State , opportunity was taken to publicly declare the Order of the Eastern Star to be an entirely separate and distinct body .

The Deputy Grand Master called attention to alleged misleading ideas given to the public in regard to the Eastern Star . The idea , he said , that women Masons could exist was not only incorrect , but to those that have any knowledge of what Masonry is , positively absurd .

Several Masons , says the " New York Herald , " argued that any formal action on the part of such a dignified body would have the effect of bestowing upon the women unnecessary glory . Some of the subordinate Chapters of the Eastern Star , it was said , had leased rooms in the Masonic Temple , but on the expiration of the lease the Grand Lodge would positively refuse to renew .

An Eminent Freemason.

AN EMINENT FREEMASON .

IN view of the Consecration of a new Masonic Lodge in connection with St . Bartholomew ' s Hospital , which took p lace last Saturday , a " Sketch" representative on Thursday called on Dr . Clement Godson , to whose energy and Masouic enthusiasm the founding of the new Lodge is mainly due . He kindly consented to relate the history of the new institution .

" When I was in the chair of the Prince of Wales Royal Arch Chapter , it was suggested that a meeting should be held to consider the subject , as there was a prevalent feeling that such a Lodge would be a benefit . Mr . D'Arcy Power ( who will be

Treasurer of the new Lodge ) convened a meeting at his house , for initial steps . I was nominated as first Master , on account of my position in Masonry , and because I am on the permanent staff of St . Bartholomew ' s Hospital and Medical School .

" Application was at once made to the Grand Lodge for a Warrant , which was granted . Lord Lathom the Pro Grand Master thought that the Prince of Wales , being President of the Hospital , would consent to be present at bhe Consecrabion . Ib is , however , only ten days ago thab his Royal Highness , amid his

manifold duties , was in a position to signify his gracious consent . Then , too , Lord Lathom had to go abroad , otherwise the Lodge would have been consecrated before this . This very short notice

will , unfortunately , prevent many Brethren from a distance taking part in the ceremony ; but , nevertheless , we can command a sufficient attendance to make it very brilliant . All the Grand Officers have been invited .

" At first it was proposed to confine membership to those who had received their medical education at St . Bartholomew ' s , but the privilege has been extended to any connected with the Hospital . Tbe Lodge will be called the Rahere Lodge , after

Rahere , the King ' s minstrel , who founded St . Bartholomew ' s Hospital in 1123 . The number of the Lodge is 2546 in the Grand Lodge of England . I have designed an enamelled jewel , with an effigy of Rahere .

" This is the first Lodge of the kind , and it is interesting to note that the Prince of Wales has only once before assisted at a Consecration . " That was on 28 th November 1893 , when the Prince , as a Bencher of the Middle Temple , took part in the Consecration of the Chancery Bar Lodge . "

" Of course , none but the initiated will be admitted to the ceremony ? " " That is so , " Dr . Godson replied ; " the Lodge must be what we call' close-tiled . ' The Lodge bids fair to succeed , as applications for initiation and for ' joining ' ( that is on the part of those who are already members of other Lodges ) have come in largely . "

It is certainly appropriate that Dr . Godson should have been chosen as first Master . He held office at St . Bartholomew ' s as Assistant Physician-Accoucheur for nearly sixteen years , resigning in 1890 , amid general regret . His " unwearying kindness to poor

patients" won him a special recognition from the Committee . Then , too , his Masonic standing is very high . With him Freemasonry is a pet subject , and he can produce a wonderful record of service , couched in the quaintly mysterious language of the Craft .

Dr . Clement Godson was initiated into Freemasonry aud advanced to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in the St . Machar Lodge , Aberdeen , No . 54 , under the Grand Lodge of Scotland , in 1872 , and the same year was exalted to the Royal Arch Degree and became a Mark Master Mason in the St .

Machar Chapter . In 1 S 79 he joined the Studholme Lodge , under the Grand Lodge of England , and was Worshipful Master of it in 1885-6 . He joined the Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 259 , in 1882

, and is just entering into office in it . In 1873 he joined the Prince of Wales Royal Arch Chapter , and in 1893 was its First Princi pal . Dr . Godson was one of the founders of the Studholme li - A . Chapter , and iu 1886-7 was its First Principal . In 1894

An Eminent Freemason.

he was Deputy Master of the Euston Lodge of Mark Master Masous . Dnring his year of office the Duke of Connaught visited the Lodge to take , for the first time , his chair of W . M . Dr . Godson also occupied the chair of Worshipful Deputy Commander Noah in the Euston Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners when his

Royal Highness took , for the first time , his chair of Commander Noah . He" was elected President of the Board of Grand Stewards in 1892 , and acted as such at the Grand Festival ; was made a Grand Deacon in 1893 in the Grand Lodge of England , and on 4 th June of this year was made a Grand Deacon in the Grand

Lodge of Mark Master Masons , and has just been elected to the chair of Eminent Preceptor in the Studholme Preceptory of Knights Templars . He is a member of the Studholme Chapter of the Eagle and Pelican Sovereign Prince ' s Rose Croix of H . R . D . M ., and in May last received the thirtieth degree in

Freemasonry from the Supreme Council . ( There are thirty-three degrees in all ) . He is a Knight of Malta , and holds office of P . O . of W . in the Euston Council of Royal Select and Super-excellent Masters . To these manifold Masonio distinctions Dr . Godson adds the purely medical office of President of the British Gynaecological Society , which he has just addressed .

The Doctor has orders , badges , and insignia innumerable . His various jewels are an interesting sight in themselves . Some of them , however , have names that sound puzzling to the

uninitiated outsider , such as the jewel of " P . Z ., or " Past Zerubbabel . " He is privileged to wear the Charity Jewel , as a Life Governor of all the three Masonic charities , the colours of which are symbolically blended in the ribbon .

" This is not Masonry , concluded Dr . Godson , as his visitor took leave , " but I may , as a keen sportsman , perhaps point to these . " He indicated eleven magnificent antlered heads around the study and in the hall . The stags had all fallen , on Scottish hills , to the rifle of one who is as enthusiastic a deer-stalker as he is a physician and Freemason . — " Sketch . "

Rose Croix.

ROSE CROIX .

THE festival in connection with the Alfred Chapter , No . 13 , was celebrated on tho 27 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Taunton , when Bro . Henry Powell was duly installed M . W . S . for the ensuing year by Bro . F . T . Elworthy 31 ° P . M . W . S . Ihe company afterwards sat down to a banquet at the Castle Hotel , where there was a large gathering , the usual toasts being honoured .

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