The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-02-27
MASONRY IN THE ORIENT.
1 Lodge In China Presided 0TsP BY a
Mandarin.
KWOng Ii Mel's Acquaintance Was
Quite BeFVleeable Go an
American.

Quite 6eFvieeAble 60 an
American.
Next year l shall have been q Master
Mason for fifteen years, and during that
time have travelled every continent on
the globe, and have visited Masonic
lodges in nearly every civilized country,
writes Kellar in Brooklyn Eagle. l was
made a Mason in May, 1875, in Pelotas,
Brazil. / took my first three degrees in
lodgeroom that had frequently been
honored by the presence Of the deposed
Emperor Dom Pedro, who was at one
time an active member Of the Scottish
Rite body. The Masonic temple was a
plain, substantial building, erected for
the purpose 1t was used tor, and stood in
the very center Of the town. It was
plainly arranged and economically fur
nished. 1t not only served as q meet
ing place Of the Blue lodge, but it like
wise sheltered the Scottish Rite bodies,
which are much stronger in Brazil than
any other Of the higher Masonic bodies.
Although for many years the Catholic
church in Brazil has been bitterly op-
posed to Masonry, think that, in pro-
portion Of her inhabitants, Brazil has
more Masons than any other country in
the world.
After leaving Brazil and South America
l turned my face toward the east, and for
several years after that time lived in the
Orient, studying Masonry and practicing
conjuring, both to my entire personal and
financial satisfaction. While l was in
Port Louis, on the island Of Mauritius, on
the south African coast, felt the need Of
more light, and accordingly received the
degrees Of Mark and Most Excellent Mas
ter and the Royal Arch in the Friendship
lodge. l completed my chapter degrees
by taking the past masters in Keystone
lodge. Shanghai, China. This lodge is
under obedience to the Grand Orient Of
the United States, and Il is composed Of
some Of the brightest men in China.
When ] was in Shanghai frequently at
tended q native lodge with an unpro-
nounceable name, the translation Of which
was the Rising Sun. This was presided
over by a mandarin Of one Of the highest
ranks. The senior deacon was a prince,
and the way the work was done would be
a revelation to q western Mason. OF
course the Chinese language was spoken,
but the work is almost identical the
world over, and had no difficulty in
following II. / have seldom seen work
that was any smoother or impressive.
1t was in the lodge that 1 met Kwong Ii
Mel, the spendthrift son Of q rich banker,
Of whom l shall have more to say before l
have finished this article.
In 1880 took my Scottish Rite degrees
in the Triple Esperance lodge, in Port
Louis Mauritius. This is one Of the larg-
est and oldest lodges in the world. 1t
celebrated its centennial while l was
there. Its building Is one Of the finest
temples in the fraternity. 1t Is con-
structed Of white marble, only one story
high' and stands In the center OF q biock'
It's root covers iour acres OF iand' ana II
contains rooms enough 10 aliow every de-
gree In masonry 70 be conferred the same
nlgnt ana IN oinerent iorm. Inc Dan
quoting nail Is as large as the dining-room
OIL the Flith avenue hotei' Inc grounds
surrounding the temple are beautifully
lald OUT ana are smut IN rom tne puplic
gaze by a stone wall ten ieet nigh Inc
iooge contains SOO actiVe members and
quite as many en- cenge.
masonry is prohiohed IN all the fhil-
ipplne ISLANDS, ana therefore all iodge
meetings are neld IN secret l once AZ
tended meeting Oh the Blue lodge in tne
diningroom Oh MI Barnard wealthy
carriage manuiactuier' whose mouse Is
directly opposite the Hotel baia. In
MANILA as well as In China' there are
many natiVe lodges, out the ones nave
especially alluded to are English. al
tnough many natives are enrolled as
members.
On one Of my first visits to south Africa
/ accompanied party Of English officers
on q hunting expedition. We were on
the plains at the base Of the hillsand were
having great sport. We had about q