Freemasonry In The Soudan.

This small band of Englishmen ( seven of us ) , with three European servants and a . swarm of Arab camel-men and servants , encamped in equatorial Africa under the shade of tall waving palm trees and lemon trees , on the edge of the river—bed of the Gash ( a quarter of a mile in width ) ; a quarter of a mile from us the curious looking town of Kassala , surrounded by a wall composed of mud bricks , baked in the sun . By the soft and bright

light of the moon we generally retired to our various tents ior me purpose of sleeping about 9 p . m . Alas ! how vain are all human schemes . The nig ht air is not made to vibrate by the concert-loving cat . Oh ! no , a greater cat-astrophe awaits us . From an Arab hut not far off issue the most monotonous sounds . Some people would , no doubt , profanely call them the devil ' s tattoo ; I , however , will confine myself strictly to facts . The sounds

produced emanated from an instrument of torture known to us as a Tomtom , and were productive of so intense a feeling of irritation that I have always retained a conviction that had the amiable performer been within a reasonable distance the air would have been thick with missiles of a flinty nature , destined to produce scalp-wounds of an unpleasant character . Doubtless the operator would quite imagine his turn-turning as sweet as the music of an CEolian harp . Nor was this all ; at intervals of five minutes

or so the larynx of an Arab woman would be called into requisition , and a piercing high trilling note would aid the disturber of our nocturnal slumbers . I should not have been particularly averse to ten minutes , or even half an hour , of this performance , as I am patient under suffering , but draw the line at three hours . There had been a death in the family , and on all occasions of great joy or sorrow this appears to be the Arab mode of rejoicing or grieving . The worst of it is , they are not satisfied with a reasonable amount of this sort of thing , but keep it up for three hours every night for

a month . It is pleasing to me that our customs are not conducted on this scale . In addition to this boisterous manifestation of grief , about 100 hyenas nightly assembled on the river bed near our tents , and either howled or laughed immoderately , much to their diversion and our annoyance , for we always failed to see where the laugh came in . However , we did find that the judicious administration of a leaden pill had a tendency to make these inconsiderate and hilarious gentry retire from the vicinity of our camp .

About two days after our arrival at Kassala , one Demetrius Mosconas , who was a Greek , employed by the Egyptian Government in sinking wells , requested me to go and visit his son , who was ill . This led to a friendly acquaintance during the few days we remained at Kassala , and to frequent conversations on the state of the country , slavery , and so on . Amongst other subjects that of Freemasonry cropped up . I was not then a member

of the Craft , but told him that it had been my intention for some time past to become one , and that as soon as I returned home I should . He replied , " Why not now ? I am a Master Mason in the Thirty third Degree , and if you like will initiate you here to-morrow . " He belonged to the Lodge Pythagoras of Alexandra , at Cairo , besides to Greek and Italian lodges . " Well , " said I , " this is an extraordinary experience , to find myself in the

heart of the Soudan amongst all these uncivilized Arabs , and yet Masonry is represented here . I will come to-morrow and be initiated into the mysteries of the Craft . I should think there are very few who can say they were made Freemasons in Kassala . " To which he replied , "I should say you will be the first and only one ever made in Kassala , for there is no lodge here , and I would not

initiate you now but for the peculiar circumstances under which you are placed and the dangers you are likely to encounter . It might so happen that your life may be at stake , and that Freemasonry might save you . Not that you are likely to encounter any Masons amongst these Arabs , still in the course of your travels you may be in difficulties , and when you are if vou meet with a brother he is bound bv his oath to help you in every way to

the best of his abilities . " I thanked the worthy Greek and left him , ardently invoking " the Great Architect of the Universe" to shower down blessings on my head for services rendered to his son , who was a young man of about 20 . " What should I have done , " said he , " with my son so ill , and having no medicines here to give him ? The good God has sent you , and I am most thankful . "

The following day found me visiting the Greek . He greeted me most cordially , and without more ado conducted me to his sitting-room , where the ceremony of initiation was gone through in the most solemn manner . Daylight was excluded , but the room was lighted by several wax candles .

On a table in front of me lay the volume of the Sacred Law , with the requisite accessories . My cervical , ocular , and pedal arrangements were not subjected to any inconvenience , neither was the left mammary region . The various organs ofthe body usually subjected to inconvenience > ere on this occasion let alone .

It will be readily understood that a good deal of the manipulation which takes place in a regular lodge was , under the circumstances , omitted , but I was told that in regular lodge " so and so takes place ; here I must omit it and simply explain . " In due course all was over , Mosconas promising to let me have mv certificate next day , which he did . It was written in

French , and I shall always keep it as a great curiosity , from its having been obtained under such peculiar circumstances , and in such an extraordinary place . Although he desired me to call at the lodge on my return to Egypt I found the time at my command was too short to enable me do so . On returning to camo I found Phillipps and Aylmer sitting outside one

of the tents reading . When the former went away , knowing that Aylmer and Colvin were the only two Masons in camp , on Aylmer looking up from his book , he discovered me engaged in making mystic signs to him . His eyebrows went up , and he , at the same time , said , " What is the matter , doctor ? " Again mystic sign . He laughed , exclaiming , " Are you mad ,

doctor ? " " No , " said I , " " at all events , if I am , you will find there is a method in it ; let me grasp you by the hand ; " and , with the proverbial three big strides of the tragic villain , who says " Aha ! I must dissemble here , " I had him in a truly Masonic grip . He was plump , and I presume that my pressure on the hand of a man whose skin was so tight on his body caused his eyes to open and his mouth too , for he at once called out "Colvin ,

here ; come , we will question him . " Colvin appeared , exclaiming " Let us away to the interior of the tent , " and we awayed . I was then subjected to such questions as the following : " You were not a Mason when you left Cairo ? " " No , " said I ; " but I am now . " " Where were you first made a Mason 1 " Of course , I told them , and , having answered all their

questions satisfactorily , they were bound to admit that I was a brother , and were much astonished at my being initiated into thc secrets and mysteries of the Craft in such a wilderness . Of course , I described the whole thing to them . When , some months afterwards , I ' returned to " Albions' land of the brave and free , " I applied to join a lodge , my certificate excited much

Freemasonry In The Soudan.

curiosity . It was sent to Grand Lodge , on account of my liaving been initiated in a somewhat irregular way , and under such peculiar circumstances . Grand Lodge decided that there was no doubt about me being a Mason ; but it would be better for me in many respects to have my mother lodge where I resided , and to go through the whole impressive ceremony "de novo " in a regular way , which I did , and I am now a member of the Britannia Lodge , No . 139 , Sheffield . The foregoing is an illustration of how Masonry is spread over the whole surface of the inhabitable globe .

Freemasonry In South Australia.

FREEMASONRY IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA .

The reports of the last three Quarterly Communications of the newly formed " Grand Lodge of South Australia " indicate that the members are determined to progress in a truly Masonic and dignified manner , and we hope that by due care and attention they will avoid difficulties which , to some at least , appear at present to beset their path .

At the meeting held on July 15 th , 15585 , mention is made , with pardonable pride and congratulation , of the recognition of the Grand Lodge by the Grand Lodge of England , the importance of the event having been so appreciated in South Australia , that the news was telegraphed . At the next assembly , which was on 21 st October , mention was also made of the

recognition extended by the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland , and resolutions of gratification were passed respecting such recognition , as concerned each Grand Lodge accordingly . " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the M . W . the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England , was requested to accept the position of Grand Patron of this Grand Lodge , and the Grand Secretary was instructed to prepare a petition to be forwarded to him . "

The report of the Board stated that " Grand Lodge regalia has been received from Bro . George Kenning . The order has been executed to the satisfaction of the Board . " The last Grand Lodge met on January 20 th , 1886 , when the " quarterage " payable by each member was reduced from one shilling to

ninepence per quarter , or in other words three shillings a year , which is fifty per cent , more than is payable by country members under the Grand Lodge of England ; but it must be remembered that in the latter case there are also the Provincial Grand Lodge dues to be added . The Metropolitan lodges , however , pay four shillings per annum .

The nominations for Grand Lodge honours were duly received , which seem to include all the offices save the Grand Secretary ; the Grand Master ( Chief justice Way ) and others of the chief officers , being renominated .

We hear that much surprise and regret are felt in South Australia on the withdrawal of recognition by the Grand Lodge of Scotland , especially as no explanation has been offered . Our impression is that the recognition bv the Grand Lodge of South Australia of the so-called Grand Lodge of New South Wales is the cause of such action , for we cannot but think it

was a serious error of judgment to recognise such a body , when it is decidedly in the minority in that colony . True , other Grand Lodges have so done , but considering the unanimity that has characterized the proceedings in South Australia , the brethren should have looked for similar unity in New South Wales before extending recognition .

General Pike's "Masonic Origines."

GENERAL PIKE'S " MASONIC ORIGINES . "

A remarkable pamphlet has lately issued from the prolific and facile pen of Bro . Albert Pike , Washington , U . S . A . ; many of the points alluded to therein deserving careful study . Without doubt , General Pike is one of the most original and . voluminous Masonic writers in the world , and his style is finished and fascinat- <

ing . Bro , Jacob Norton , who is not over ready to praise , and never does ' praise , without reason , says " Bro . Pike is the best informed American Mason , as far as Masonic history and literature are concerned . " This is a

generous word from one who is such an able and constant opponent of the " Hautes Grades , " of which Bro . Pike , if not the chief ornament , is certainly the most prominent figure of the last quarter of a century . I am inclined to consider him as both .

The title of the paper is the best indication of its scope and tendency , and assuredly the author has the " courage of his convictions , " for he spares neither friend nor foe , in exposing errors and fables . The self-evident axioms he lays down " as fundamental principles of

Masonic Law and of common sense , ' are of widespreading influence , and as might be expected , cover the whole question of rival Grand Bodies , and spurious organisations , with which the United States , just now , appears to be sadly troubled .

" Except the first possessor or possessors , no one can ever obtain legal investiture with any degree , except by receiving it from him or them , or from a person or persons , or a Body , having power derived from the first

possessor or possessors , by receiving them as if immediately from such first possessor or possessors ; by assuming the required vows or obligations ; and by being , as if by these , put in possession of the arcana or modes of recognition , and the usual explanations of the symbols employed .

Following this definition we read : — "The benefits intended to be so secured cannot rightfully belong to any person except those who , paying the prices for the Degree , or Degrees , fixed by the law of the Degree or Rite , have received them at the hands or by the authorisation of a lawful and

legitimate body or officer of the Rite , having the supreme power derived from the first possessors , and who , by assuming the required obligations , have become entitled to , and have been put in possession of , the arcana and modes of recognition belonging to each Degree . " This declaration is ably enforced , and then follows the conclusion that— " To endeavour to procure for one ' s self those benefits , whether pecuniary or of consideration and