Spanish Freemasonry. An English Brother's Experience.

To begin with—and here , we think , even British Freemasons might with advantage follow more closely the example of their Spanish brethren—no one is introduced into Masonry in Spain without due and very careful consideration—no friend of a few weeks' standing , or anv casual acquaintance , whom motives of mere curiosity may impel

to seek admission , is entertained for a moment . Proposers and seconders of candidates have to vouch for the bona-lides of those they bring forward , in addition to which most careful scrutiny is made independentl y into the status and character of the aspirant , especially in the Masonic

qualifications of secrecy , lidelity , and obedience to which our own ritual recommends that the attention of candidates should be peculiarly and forcibly directed . This caution is requisite from the fact that , although the days of inquisitorial torture

or death may have gone—it is to be hoped never to returnmembership of the Fraternity , if too publicl y known , may still incur legal prosecution on political grounds , to say nothing of the lesser inconveniences of civil persecution and social ostracism . Bro . Richardson relates how , on the 5 th day of February ,

1886 , accompanied by his friend and proposer , and having been duly elected as a lit and proper person for initiation into our mysterious privileges , he set out for the place of meeting—this , it should be explained , is nol always / lie same as it is with us who have handsome and commodious Masonic

halls in which we meet regularl y , but is varied frequentl y to avoid police scrutiny , the Fraternity being regarded as a political institution not always most amicabl y disposed to the Government of the day .

But to resume—on the way to the place of meeting and arrived at a secluded street , Bro . Richardson and his friend were met by a deputation from the lodge , and he was there and then hastily blindfolded and led ( as lie was aware from his knowledge of the city ) by unnecessarily devious ways to another quiet street .

Here , after due exchange of pass-word and countersign , they were admitted to a house , and the candidate immediatel y ushered into a room where he remained for a lengthened period blindfold and alone , after admonition to devote himself to contemplation and careful self-examination . It would be

unfair to describe the ceremony of initiation . Suffice it to say that the Frere Terrible ( as he is styled in France ) played a leading part in the proceedings , and the ceremonial was more realistic than is ordinaril y considered compatible with either dignity or solemnity , at

all events , so far as the imaginative Britisher of average intellect is concerned . Bro . Richardson was subsequentl y passed to the Second Degree in the same lodge , similar precautions being observed and much the same st yle of ceremony worked as on the occasion of his 1 _ 1 st attendance .

Unfortunately , owing to business calls , our brother left Spain before taking his Third Degree , which could not have failed to have been a most interesting experience ; but , on the other hand , it has placed him in the unusual , if not unique , position of having been livicc initiated into Masonry . On settling in Neweastle-on-Tyne , Bro . Richardson desired

to enter into fraternal relations with his English brethren , but was unable to make himself known as a Mason , having only been twice in lodge , and ( hen having spent most of his time blindfolded , he had little recollection of essential points and what he did remember being , as may readily be

supposed from the foregoing description , much at variance witli English working . It was decided lo make liim over again rather than enter upon a long correspondence with his Spanish lodge , which would be conducted under special disability by reason of the caution to be observed in speaking ,

let alone writing , about Freemasonry in certain parts of Spain . Accordingly , he was proposed in the Ridley Lodge , No . 2260 , as a candidate for initiation , and duly took his Three Degrees according lo the English ri ( e . Shortly afterwards , finding a congenial atmosphere and a majority of his personal friends in the Hotspur Lodge , A o . 1 ( 12 6 , he became

a joining member , after a time taking office as | . D . Thence he proceeded , step b y step , up the ladder of office , until , in January , 18 97 , he was installed twenty-first Master of the Hotspur Lodge , and in that capacity presided at a special festival held in celebration of the lodge ' s attaining its majority .

A banquet was held which was graced bv the presence of a number of ladies , an unusual departure so far as North country Masonry is concerned , and ( he first of the kind in the City of Newcastle , though not of uncommon occurrence further South . This was followed b y a ball , the whole of the

extensive premises of the Central Masonic Hall Company being converted , for the nonce , into a luxuriously-appointed family mansion to accommodate the guests . The Hotspur brethren marked their appreciation of Bro . Richardson's services on this occasion by presenting him with a Past Master ' s jewel bearing the lodge arms in enamel

and set with diamonds , which was specially designed and executed by Messrs . Spencer and Co ., of Great Queen Street , for the purpose .

In December , 18 99 , Bro . Richardson was again unanimously elected to the chair of the lodge of his adoption , which honour had only once previously been conferred upon a P . M . of the lodge . He is now bringing his second year of Mastership to a conclusion with undiminished acceptance to its numbers , and , being still in the

prime of life , it is quite possible , should circumstances arise , that he may / ill the chair again . In addition to Craft Masonry , Bro . Richardson is an active member of the Marl ; ( Tristram Lodge , No . 34 6 ) , Ark Mariners ( Northumberland and Berwick , T . I . ) , Royal Arch ( Gosforth Chapter , 1664 ) , in which he was

succeeded only last month b } ' Sir Gainsford Bruce as First Principal—also lhe Knights Templar ( Royal Kent Preceptory , No . 20 ) , lhe Allied Degrees ( Royal Kent Council ) , lhe Cryptic Degrees ( Royal Kent Council ) , Knights of Rome ami Constantino ( Royal Kent Conclave ) , Rose Croix ( Royal Kent Chapter ,

No . 8 ) , and the ^ o ° of the Supreme Grand Council of England and Wales . He is also a member of the Newcastle College of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia , and in Scottish Masonry of the Royal Order of Scotland , and of Mary ' s Chapel Lodge , No . 1 , Edinburgh .

The Province of Northumberland owes its Masonic calendar—an unusually complete and comprehensive publication—to the indefatigable energy of Bro . Richardson , who inaugurated it in 18 97 to mark his year as W . M . of the Hotspur , and , for two years issued it at his own cost , subsequently presenting the copyright to the Newcastle

College of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia , in which he is one of the trustees of the library . It will therefore be observed that Freemasonry in Spain , notwithstanding the many vicissitudes through which it has passed , and the many disadvantages under which it is carried

on , has at all events the power to awaken true Masonic enthusiasm , and has furnished Freemasonry in the North of England with a worthy brother , who , with reasonable health and strength , is certain to be heard of again as attaining provincial rank or even Grand Lodge honours . All honour therefore to Spanish Masonry and that she may have assured

peace and tranquillity , is the devout aspiration of every true Masonic heart , although , as Bro . Richardson quaintly puts it , "The onl y way to get peace in a Spanish lodge is to get hold of the chief constable of the town or district , and make him a member , then you are all right . " Our illustration—a

group of the Worshipful Master and officers of Hotspur Lodge is from a photo by Messrs . James Bacon and Co ., Northumberland Street , Newcastle .

The Venerable Archdeacon Sinclair , P . G . Chaplain , has occupied the pulpit of St . Paul ' s Cathedral on Sunday afternoons during the month of November , and lhe services have been largely attended . The Archdeacon of London is one of the few preachers whose sonorous voice can he distinctly heard in the vast building .