Freemasonry In Jamaica.

refugees in Kingston , from Haiti , obtained warrant No . 638 , for La Loge les Freres Reunis , which collapsed , however , after a rather brief existence . During this long period , from 1739 * o 1812 , no lodge in Jamaica appears to have sought for a warrant from Scotland ; and only one was obtained from Ireland , forthe Independent Lodge , No . 35 .

At the union of the Grand Lodges of England , in 1 S 13 , it was discovered that almost all , if not every one of the lodges previously chartered by the original Grand Lodge , had fallen into abeyance , so that they were all struck off the list then prepared ; whilst those that had been warranted by the " Ancients " were nearly all of them in working order . In 1 S 17 thc " Grand Orient" of France issued charters to the French

refugees in Kingston to erect three several chapters or consistories ; the first was called the Sublime Lodge for conferring the so-called " Ineffable Degrees ; " the second for a council of " Princes of Jerusalem ; " and the third for a "Grand Council of Thirty-three Degrees . " But the members of these bodies soon wearied of those diversions , and becoming desirous of working legitimate Masonry , applied in 1 S 18 to the United Grand Lodge of England for a warrant to open the Loge la Benignite ; the result was that the

socalled " High Degrees " rapidly declined , yet , as no more refugees arrived from Haiti , and La Benignite worked always in French , this lodge lingered out a questionable existence till 1829 , when it finally collapsed . Freemasonry continued , however , more or less prosperous until the 9 th June , 1 S 31 , when the Provincial Grand Master , Sir Michael Benignus Clare , sailed for England , from whence he never returned ; he died about the middle of the following year , and the Provincial Grand Lodge then ceased to exist .

The great social and political changes which ensued on'the abolition of slavery in this colony , and the depression of all interests consequent thereon , effected very considerably the progress of Freemasonry . Active members who entertained the opinion that a terrible financial catastrope had overtaken both the agricultural and commercial interests of the country , hastened away to other fields of enterprise , and left the lodges here to languish . Few

or no new lodges were constituted , whilst several old ones , such as the Seville , Concord , St . Elizabeth's , Cornwall , and Union , of Falmouth , closed their doors ; nor did any reaction set in until about the end of 1844 , when a number of Columbian patriots , who had taken refuge in Kingston , opened a lodge under a charter from the Grand Lodge of Carthagena , to work Symbolic Masonry in this city . As this proceeding was , however , in violation

of Masonic international law , those brethren were informed that they and their initiates would not be recognised in the island , and were advised to apply for a warrant from England to legalise their work . On this advice they acted , and as they were recommended by the other lodges in Kingston , a warrant was obtained from the United Grand Lodge for the Union et Concordia Lodge , No . 754 .

. And now a new era appeared to have dawned for Freemasonry in this island , as during the year 1845 certain brethren , residing in St . Thomas-inthe-Vale , became desirous of practising once more the ancient mysteries , and thereupon applied to the Grand Lodge of Scotland for a warrant to constitute the Elgin Lodge , of that parish . Scarcely had the application been considered ere certain other brethren , in Kingston , applied to the same

authority for a warrant to establish the Glcnlyon Lodge . Brethren in St . Elizabeth sought for a warrant to establish the Union Lodge , at Black River ; others at Falmouth for a warrant for the Athol Union , of that town ; and St . Andrew for a warrant for its own , Kilwinning . Scottish Freemasonry having become thus popular , sought now a more prominent position , and petitioned for the ' erection of a Provincial Grand

Lodge for regulating Masonic work in the colony . The zeal of the Scottish Masons provoked a laudable spirit of emulation amongst the English brotherhood , and this new born zeal was first manifested by a desire to work the so-called Hig h Degrees . The old Royal Lodge began b y opening their long-dormant Royal Arch Chapter , and this was the signal for the other English lodges in Kingston to do the same , if

they possessed charters , and if not , to apply for them . The Columbian brethren who founded the Union et Concordia Lodge , now learned that there was then no Masonic Law which prevented the Grand Council of Carthagena from issuing Charters for Councils to work the "Sublime Degrees" in this country ; and as several English brethren expressed a wish to dabble in those mysteries a " Supreme Grand Chapter "

was thereupon established in Kingston . But the brethren soon grew weary of those pseudo-historical and philosophical inventions , and the English Craft in Kingston now thoroughly aroused to the fact that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Scotland had precedence in all Masonic arrangements , determined on petitioning iora Provincial Grand Lodge of theirown , naming at the same time Dr . Robert Hamilton , a landed proprietor in affluent circumstances , and a Past Master of the Sussex Lodge of Kingston , as a

competent brother for the distinguished office . To this petition the brethren on the north-side of the Island were invited to subscribe , but they declined to do so on the ground that their distance from the city would preclude them from attending the Provincial Grand Lodge when established ; so the Patent , when issued on the 5 th November , 1858 , constituted Bro . Hamilton as Provincial Grand Master for only East Jamaica—permitting the lodges on the north-side to continue in . direct communication with the United Grand Lodge in London .

Soon after the erection of the Provincial Grand Lodge certain brethren in St . Catherine applied for a warrant to open a lodge in Spanish Town and chose , in honour of the Provincial Grand Master , the name of " Hamilton " for their lodge . It continued as No . 805 for some years to prosper , but fell afterwards into abeyance , and was revived in 1873 under a new warrant as No . 1440 .

In 1861 the Phoenix Lodge sprang into existence at Port Royal , as No . 914 ; thc Westmoreland , at Savanna-Ia-Mar , as No . 1377 , '" 1871 ; the Jamaica , in Kingston , as No . 1771 , in 1878 ; in 1879 the Collegium Fabrorum , in Kingston , as No . 1836 ; and the United Service , in 1880 , as No .

1873-Whilst English Freemasonry was so active , Scottish was equally energetic , for in 1 S 60 the Victoria Lodge , No . 402 , was warranted for Spanish Town , and in 1873 the Seville Lodge , No . 530 , for St . Ann ' s Bay . Brethren at Port Maria , in 1874 , obtained a warrant for the Caledonian Lodge , No . 554 ; and others , in Kingston , established the St . John ' s Lodge , in 1878 , under warrant No . 623 .

There arc at present in Kingston three Grand Lodges , viz ., The Provincial Grand Lodge of East Jamaica ; the Provincial Grand Lodge of Scotland ; and the Provincial Grand Mark Master ' s Lodge of England . Under the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Jamaica are the Royal , Friendly , Sussex , Jamaica , Collegium Fabrorum , and United Service Lodges , all in active working order . At Port Royal is the Phoenix ; in Spanish Town the

Freemasonry In Jamaica.

Hamilton ; at Savanna-la-Mar the Westmoreland ; and at Montego Bay the Friendly Lodge , which last-named holds , however , direct communication with London . , . Mark Masters' Lodges are attached to the Royal , Sussex , and Friendly Lodges ; but in this latter the title of Clifton Mount has been given in

comp liment to Dr . Hamilton , this being the name of one of his properties in the island . The Phoenix Lodge , at Port Royal , holds a warrant also for a Mark Master ' s Lodge . Royal Arch Chapters are likewise attached to the Royal , Friendly , Sussex , and Phosnix Lodges on the south side , and one to the Friendly Lodge , of Montego Bav , on the north side of the island .

Mark Master Lodges are worked also , under the Scottish Constitutions , by the Glenlyon and St . John ' s Lodges in Kingston , the Caledonian at Port Maria , and the Seville at St . Ann ' s Bay ; but only to the Glenlyon is a Royal Arch Chapter attached . There are two Rose Croix Chapters in Kingston , No . 49 , called the Jamaica , and . No . 80 , called the Kingston ; and there has recentl y ' been established another chapter in Kingston under the authority of the " Suprme Council " for Scotland .

A Council for " the Royal Ark Mariners' Degree " has lately been erected in Kingston , and another at Port Royal ; but at present little can be recorded ot their work . On the 16 th September , 1880 , certain brethren opened in Kingston a Preceptory of Knights Templar , but their enthusiasm appears to have been consumed in the effort , as no further work is on record .

English Freemasonry sustained however a lamentable loss during last year ( 1880 ) in the death of its Provincial Grand Master , the Hon . Dr . Robert Hamilton , who , after a protracted illness of several months , breathed his la-t at 2 . 30 , p . m . on the 20 th May at his residence , Clifton Mount , in St . Andrew ' s . On the fact of his death becoming known , all the English Lodges , were for six months put in mourning—a period twice as long as that for which they mourned for Sir Michael Benignus Clare , their first Provincial Grand Master ; whilst the lodges under the Scottish Constitutions

adopted black crape for an entire quarter of the year . The Scottish Lodges are under the government of the Hon . Samuel Constantine Burke , Assistant Attorney-General and member of the Legislative Council—a brother whose elevation to the high official positions which he has attained in his native country is a subject of profound gratification to every member of the Craft . As Scottish Provincial Grand Master for Jamaica and Grey Town , he assisted at the installation of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales as Grand Master for England , in April , 187 ^;

and on his last visit to Edinburgh , in 1879 , was received into the Royal Order of Scotland , and created a Sovereign GrandTnspector-General . There are no Masonic periodicals in Jamaica , but a practice prevails of supplying the local newspapers , whose editors are members of the Craft , with reports of installation meetings and festivities , and the names of brethren forming every new Administration . The following schedule gives the names of brethren who now hold office in the several Grand Lodges and subordinate lodges in the island : — UNDER THE CONSTITUTIONS OK THE GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND .

R . W . Bro . A . deCordova , D . D . G . M . G . C . H . Lewis , D . D . S . W . T . Allen , D . D . J . W . V . W . Bro . A . Findley , D . D . C . „ E . Friedlander , D . D . A . C . O . Delgado , D . D . T . VV . Andrews , D . D . R . „ B . Stines , jun ., D . D . S . „ R . S . Haughton , D . D . A . S . „ G . 1 . deCordova , D . D . S . D . „ G . j . Sargeant , D . D . J . D . „ ) . Reid . D . D . S . W . „ C H . Davis , D . D . D . C . „ L . Hollar , D . D . A . D . C . „ O . Delgado , jun ., D . D . Swd . B . „ A . H . Jones , D . D . Org . „ M . Delgado , D . D . P . W . L . Murdon , D . D . A . P .

V . W . Bro . W . G . McFarlane , D . D . S . W . Bro . I . Harris , D . D . S . „ C . Bovill , D . D . S . G . M . Duff , D . D . S . Bro . George Magnus , Tyler . Royal , W . Bro . E . X . Leon , W . M . Friendly , W . Bro . G . Demercado , W . M . Sussex , W . Bro . " A . H . lories , W . M . Hamilton , W . Bro . W . D . Byles , W . M . Phoenix , VV . Bro . W . Hastings , R . N ., W . M . Westmorland , W . Bro . C . P . Bovell , W . M . Jamaica , W . Bro . John McLean , W . M . Collegium Fabrorum , W . Bro . A . H . Cotter , W . M . United Service , W . Bro . A . VV . Warry , R . N ., W . M .

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND FOR J AMAICA AND GREYTOW . V .

R . W . Bro . S . C . Burke , P . G . M . C . W . Steer , D . P . G . M . „ Dr . Jas . Oilvie , Sub . P . G . M . „ K . J . Spicer , P . G . S . W . Vacant , P . G . J . W . V . W . Bro . Rev . W . C . McCalla , P . G . Chap . R . W . Bro . B . M . Dias , P . G . Sec . „ Geo . H . Pearce , P . G . Treas . D . N . Berwick , P . G . S . D . V . W . Bro . A . H . Jones , P . G . J . D . „ S . J . Streadwick , P . O . Archt . R . W . Bro . J . G . Mesquita , P . G . Bible B . „ D . C . De Souza , P . G . D . C . „ H . P . Thompson , P . G . Swd . B . V . W . Bro . E . Melville , P . G . Director of Music . R . W . Bro . A . D . C . Levy , P . G . Std . B . „ Capt . G . F . Coward , Pres . Bd . of Stewards .

V . W . Bro . Geo . M . Duff ,. „ Jas . Sherbon „ Alfred Pawscy „ George S . Thompson „ A . Munroe S ? „ Henry Steer . „ E . B . Wolfe [ £ H . J . Burger £ „ VV . D . Smedmore „ D . C . Wepler „ J . J . Lyon „ William Duff - " R . W . Bro . C . M . L . Knox , P . G . Marshal . V . W . Bro . Jonas Polack , P . G . l . G . Bro . John Hoyes , T y ler . Glenlyon , Kington , K . J . Spicer , W . M . At _ olU _ ion , Falmout _ , U . C . D Sou-a , W . M Seville , St . Ann ' s Bay , H . Steer , W . M . Caledonian . Port Maria , A . D'C . Levy , W . M . St . John , Kington , Wm . Duff , W . M .

MARK MASTER PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF J AMAICA .

R . W . Bro . J . W . Whitbourne ,, D . P . G . M . M . „ G . J . Sargeant , P . G . S . W . „ B . Stines , jun ., P . G . J . W . V . W . Bro . G . Delgado , P . G . M . O . „ J . L . Ashenheim , P . G . S . O . „ O . Delgado , jun ., P . G . J . O . „ T . N . Aguilar , P . G . Treas . „ G . A . Campbell , P . G . R . of M . „ E . X . Leon , P . G . Sec . D . Barned , P . G . S . D . G . R . Taylor , P . G . J . D . Dr . T . Allen , P . G . r . of VV . „ A . H . Jones , P . G , D . of C . L . C . Hollar , P . G . Swd . Br . „ C . P . Myers , P . G . Std . Br .

V . W . Bro . W . D . Smedmore , P . G . l . G . „ J . M . Simpson , P . G . Steward . „ A . P . Alberga , P . G . Steward . Bro . G . Magnus , P . G . Tyler . Sussex Mark Lodge , 41 , Pro . r , R . W . Bro . J . W . Whitbourne , W . M . Clifton Mount , Ktystone Lodge , 230 , Pro . 2 , R . VV . Alt . De Cordova , VV . M . Royal Keystone Lodge , 240 ; Pro . 3 , R . W . Bro . E . X . Leon , W . M . Phcsnix Mark Lodge , 242 , Pro . 4 , V ; W . Bro . O . Delgado , W . M . Rose Croix , 49 , Jamaica , 111 . Bro . C . W . Steer , M . VV . S . Rose Croix , 80 , Kingston , III . Bro . Win . Andrews , M . W . S .

One of the two bronze sphinxes to be placed right and left of the Egyptian obelisk on the Victoria Embankment has been fixed on its granite plinth , and the other is finished and will be placed in position as soon as the masonry is ready . The figures are to look east and west , and the eastern one is that which is completed . The bronze castings for the base of the obelisk itself will ' soon be finished .