Freemasonry And The Army.

French Arms , St . Bernard ' s-strcet in Madrid , in 172 S . It is probable this was founded by English soldiers . The second was a military lodge in Gibraltar , called the Gibraltar Lodge , the warrant of which bears date November , 1728 . The first regimental lodge recorded was in the v th Regiment of Foot

( Honywood s Regiment ) , which was warranted in September , 1755 , but docs not appear in the registers after 1756 . Another lodge was formed in this reg iment , called the Albuera Lodge , in May , 1 S 1 S , but was erased in 1 S 24 . This regiment is now the 1 st battalion of the Duke of Cambridge ' s Own Middlesex Regiment , and is stationed at Ouetta .

The next lodge was in the 37 th ( General Stuart ' s ) Regiment , and was warranted in 1756 , but disappears from the registers in 1775 . This regiment is now thc 2 nd Battalion of thc Cheshire Regiment , and has since had two lodges in it , viz ., in 1844 , called thc North Hants Lodge , which was erased in 1862 . The 1411-1 ^ Regiment of Foot ( now the Princp of Wales ' s Own West Yorkshire ) has had four lodges in it , the last of which was warranted in 1 S 46 , called the Lodge of Integrity . It no longer appears on thc roll .

In the 52 nd Regiment there appear to have been at different ' times four lodges . The first was warranted in 17 G 2 , when thc regiment was . in Canada , and was erased in 1813 . The 2 nd Battalion obtained a warrant for a lodge in 1 S 01 at Ashford , in Kent . We again find the 52 nd Regiment of Foot

with a warrant dated 1797 , which lapsed about 1802 , but this warrant seems to have been transferred to the S jth Regiment during this period . The transfer of warrants in those days was very common , and there does not seem to be anything unreasonable in this instance , as , of course , the former warrant was at the time still in force . The last warrant : granted to this

regiment was in 1 S 30 , the lodge being erased in 1 S 62 . In all , there have been some 150 or more purely regimental lodges . We kijow that these regimental lodges spread Masonry over the whole face of the globe . There are numerous records of their working in the States of America , Canada , the Peninsular , and in Asia , and , although they should not have done so , there can be little doubt that they did very extensively initiate into Masonry outsiders , thus spreading the Craft in actually unforeseen manner .

The result of this spread was thc establishment of local lodges , and these have continued to so grow and increase that the reason for the existence of regimental lodges gradually died away and so did the lodges . But although regimental lodges disappeared , the connection between the Army and Freemasonry was in no way shaken , and in India we find the Army is the most important element in our midst .

Space will not allow me to mention more than a few of the most eminent soldiers who have belonged to the Craft , and one or two of thc curious incidents connected with Freemasonry and the Army . The mo-t celebrated battle of the century was fought between Bros . Wellington and Napoleon , and the English Constitution won . The following curious incident at the battle of Waterloo is taken from the " Boston

Freemasons' Magazine " of more than 30 years ago , headed " Masons at Waterloo , " About 50 Frenchmen , the heroic wreck of a square of two regiments which had been almost exterminated by a considerable force of the enemy , perceiving it would be impossible to effect a retreat , they determined to lay'down their arms , but lhc allies continued to lire on them . The French now felt that only a miracle could save them . Just then thc Lieutenant in command was suddenly inspired with the thought that such a

miracle might be achieved by Masonry . Advancing from the ranks , he made the mystical appeal . Two Hanoverian officers perceived , him and ordered the firing to cease without wailing to consult their superior olliccr . Having provided for the safety of thc prisoners , they reported themselves to their General for this breach of military discip line , lie , however , being also a Freemason , far from inflicting any punishment , commended them for their generous conduct .

1 he tale of the return by thc enemy of the box of Masonic regalia on the field will bear repetition . We quote from thc Indian Freomisim ' s Friend of February , 1 . 803 : " The 6 th Dragoon Guards , after a severe engagement in the Peninsular , lost its baggage , among which was thc chest containing the lodge furniture , jewels , Ike . The commander of the capturing party , when he saw the Masonic emblems on thc chest , immediately sent lor one ot the prisoners ,

and demanded thc meaning of the marks , which the soldier , as far as was prudent , explained . The French olliccr , on finding the chest belonged to a Freemason ' s lodge , directed it to be returned to thc English regiment with a flag of truce , and a guard of honour , forwarding at thc same time a 1 Iter , stating that , although not a Freemason himself , he respected thc Society , and that his brother officers would never forgive him if he did not treat the misfortunes of their Masonic brethren with consideration . "

If in those days regiments really did go on expeditions , and even into action , with a box of working tools and regalia , it speaks well for the liberalty of thc authorities in the matter of transport—or it may have been that the military men of those days were keener Masons than those of today , and some one may have given up his Solb tent that peace , love , and harmony might be represented on the battle-field , which would , perhaps , supply its own emblems of mortality .

Thc era of regimental lodges is generally supposed to run with thc existence of thc Alhol Grand Lodge , but though this is thc case , there does not appear to be any reason to suppose that it was entirely occasioned by the existence of that Grand Lodge . Whether regimental lodges or military lodges did good or harm is nut recorded , unless the record lies in the secret archives of the War Ollicc . It 's certain there is nothing in Masonic literature which gives any

information on the point , but it is not an unreasonable conclusion to draw that they have ceased , because the reason for their existence has ceased ; dsn . It is believed that one military lodge , originally thc 4 th Battalion Royal Artillery , at Cjuebec still works under , 1 warrant granted in 1781 . It continued on the Grand Lodge of England register till 1870 , and then severed its connection , and now works under another Grand Lodge , probabl y that of Canada .

Wellington is believed to have been initiated 111 1 790 in Lodge 49 ^ and is known to have been a subscriber to it in 1795 . Napoleon is said to have-been made a Mason in June , 179 S , at Malta . In ' •i < ' 4 he appointed his brother Joseph G . M . of the Grand Orient , andundci his regime French Freemasonry flourished and was protected .

l'he following extract with reference to Marshal Soull is taken from ' Laurie ' s History of Freemasonry and Grand Lodge of Scotland " : "It having been brought under the notice of the Grand Lodge on Slli August , 1 S 50 , that the Masonic dip loma of Marshal Souk , which had "ecu found on 21 st June , 1 S 13 , amongst that gallant Marshal's baggage

Freemasonry And The Army.

after the battle of Vittoria , was in the possession of Lodge St . Mathalan , Tullich-in-Mar ( it had been presented to that lodge on the 30 th June , 1823 . — I " . ) , and the Grand Lodge being of opinion that no brother or body of brethren had a right to retain unauthorised possession of the property of a brother Mason , directed St . Mathalan ' s Lodge to be communicated with about restoring thc said diploma to its legitimate owner . After some correspondence it was transmitted to the Grand Lodge , and

exhibited to the members thereof at this communication , when the Most Worshi pful the Grand M ister directed that it should be returned to Marshal Soul' through the Marquess of Normandy , the British Ambassador at Paris , and the Marshal ' s letter of acknowledgment transmitted to the Lodge St . Mathalan , Tullich-in-Mar , for preservation in its archives , as a far more valuable memorial of a distinguished brother than the possession of his di ploma could be . ( The illustrious and gallant Marshal died in a few da } 'S after the diploma was presented to him . —E . ) "

H . E . Lieut .-General Lord Frederick Fitz Clarence , G . C . H ., who was Grand Master of Scotland in 1841 and 1 S 42 , afterwards became Commander-in-Chief of the Bombay Presidency , and died at Purandhar on 311 th October , 1834 , whilst holding - that appointment . To come down to more recent times , we find our late Commander-in-Chief , H . E . Lord Roberts , V . C ., was made a Mason in Khyber Lodge , No , 563 , and was Master of the lodge in 1 S 55 .

In other ways members of the Arm ) ' have particularly distinguished themselves as Masons . Wc may mention the late Grand Sec , Col . Shadwell Clerke , General Sir Charles Warren , and last , but by no means least , that eminent Masonic writer , Robert Freke Gould , who is possibly the best informed Mason in the world , and who was for a long time in the Army before he practised as a barrister . —Indian Masonic Review .

Masonic Ceremonies At Newcastle.

MASONIC CEREMONIES AT NEWCASTLE .

Our excellent friends in Northumberland have been enjoying quite a Masonic week in Newcastle-upon-Tyne . Space not allowing us to give in detail all the proceedings , we can but give a brief resume . The business commenced on Thursday , the 27 th ult ., at 3 . 30 p . m ., with a meeting of the Royal Kent Preceptory of Kni ghts Templar , when the Degree was conferred on candidates , and other regular business transacted .

At 5 . 43 the Provincial Priory was opened by the Eminent Provincial Sub-Prior , Sir Knight John James Wilkes , who notified to thc sir knights that they had been summoned for the purpose of installing Sir Knight the Rev . Canon Henry Baker Tristram , D . D ., as the Very Eminent Provincial Prior , and that he was very pleased to announce that Sir Knight the Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , V . Eminent Great Sub-Prior , who had come down specially from London , would conduct the ceremony . Lord Euston , who

was accompanied by the following distinguished officers of the Order : Sir Knight General Hay , G . Vice-Chancellor ; C . F . Matier , P . G . B . B . ; Col . A . B . Cook , G . Constable ; I ^ ugcnc Monteuuis , G . S . B . ; and Luke Galloway , G . Marshal . Sir Kni ght Dr . Cockburn Balfour , P . P ., then entered thc preceptory , and was received with thc usual honours . The Rev . II . B . Tristram , D . D ., F . R . S ., and Canon of Durham , was then duly installed and proclaimed as Provincial Priors of Northumberland , Durham , and Bcrwick-on-Tweed .

The banquet , which was very numerously attended , was given in the lower room ot the Hall , Maplc-slrcct . On Friday , the . 'Sin ultimo , at 11 a . m ., Lord Euston , as thc head of the Allied Degrees , attended at the Masonic Hall , Maple-street , for ihe

purpose of consecrating the Royal Kent Council for Northumberland and Durham ; he was assisied by Bros . A . B . Cook , as S . W . ; Balfour Cockburn , as J . W . ; and C . F . Matier , as D . C . Thc council having been duly consecrated , Bros . Usher , Bentham , and Wilkes were appointed principal ollicers .

l'he brethren then retired for luncheon , and at 3 . 0 p . m . the Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , as Chief 01 the Order and M . P . Grand Master of Cryptic Masonry , proceeded to consecrate the Royal Kent Council of Royal and Select Masters , assisted by Bros . A . B . Cook , as Deputy Grand Master ; Baltour Cockburn , as Grand Principal Conductor of the Works ; and C .

Fitzgerald Matier , as G . Marshal . The council being duly consecrated , Bro . Carman was duly installed as T . l . M . ; Bro . W . Davidson , as Deputy ; and Bro . Seymour Bell , as Principal Conductor of the Works , this portion ol the ceremony being most ably performed by the indefatigable and learned Bio . C . Fitzgerald Matier .

Much as had been done this day the Provincial Grand Master for Northamptonshire seized the opportunity of being at Newcastle to pay a tr . iternal visit , accompanied by the other distinguished Masons who had assisted him in the previous ceremony to the Lodge dc Loraine , No . 541 , Bro . T . F . Schnitzer , W . M .

1 his lodge was opened at the Grand Assembly Rooms , Barras Bridge , and punctually at 6 . 15 . Bro . Lord Euston and his party presented themselves for admission , and were received with due honours . The First Degree was worked in a most admirable manner . At thc banquet , which followed ,

Bro . Lord EUSTON took thc opportunity of paying a most graceful and well deserved compliment to Bro . Schnitzer on the excellent working of his lodge , and , further , of expressing to him not merely his own thanks , but the thanks of the distinguished brethren who had accompanied him from

London , lor the excellent arrangements and the generous hospitality which had been tendered to them , and which had rendered this , their visit to Newcastle , an epoch in their Masonic life never to be forgotten . Certainly the Craft at Newcastle possess in Bro . Schnitzcr a most zealous , energetic and accomplished brother .

On Saturday , the 29 th till ., at 11 a . m ., Lord Euston was again at work at the Freemasons' Hall , Maple-street , and this time it was for the purpose of consecrating a conclave and the constitution of the Division of Northumberland , Durham , and lierwitk-on- 1 ' iveed of Knights of Rome and Red Cross of Constantino , K . II . S . and K . S . I .

'l'he ceremony of consecration Having been admirably earned out by the Most Pui . ss .-int Sovereign the head of the Order , Lord Euston , Sir Knights A . B . Cook acting as Prelate ; Balfour Cockburn as ist General ; and C . F . Matier as I ) , ol C , Sir Knight Matier proceeded to instal Sir Knight Seymour Bell as Sovereign ol tnis the Royal Kent . Conclave , and Sii Knight Carman as Faisebius .

This being done , . Sir Knight John James Wilkes was duly obligated as Intendant-Geiieral of the Division , and having appointed his olhccrs , the conclave was closed .