The Washington times., 1902-09-28
THE JAyMT TO JERUSALEM.

Inc otcdHiSHlp CSiiic ieil view 1UIk Ju
February s, 1902, with a large party Of
tourists for the Mediterranean and the
Holy Land. Frank C. Clark, the organ
izer and manager OF the cruise, was .
Mason, and an honorary member Of
Royal Solomon Mother Lodge, No. 293,
where he was raised while residing in
the city Of Jerusalem. He proposed that
the Masons On the steamer should at
tend a session of that lodge to be held
In the quarries of Solomon during their
visit to Jerusalem. This proposition
aroused enthusiasm and led to the for
nation of an association. A committee
was appointed which examined and
proved nearly 100 brethren. Speaking Of
these examinations, the historian says:
"This trial brought home to many the
advantages OF closer attention to the
work OF the order and the resulting fa-
miliarity with the ancient landmarks,
especially when travelling in foreign
countries" On Friday evening. March
Z. 1902. a communication of Royal Solo,
mon Mother Lodge was heI5 at Hotel
du Pare, Jerusalem. This odge was
chartered by the Grand ESdss Of Canada
February II, 1873. The charter was in
its possession and was exhibited to the
this communication four candidates. all
degrees, were elected. initiated, passed
and raised. Meetings were hid in the
quarries on March Q and March Is.
On Saturday, March %. the association
reception given them by Badr
Helouan Lodge. No. so. at Helouan. This
town Is a health resort about fourteen
miles south of Cairo. The final meeting
Of the association was held on board
the Celtic, March "a, an route from
Alexandria TO Naples.
The S. S. Celtic Masonic Association,
which was organized on board the steam
ship Celtic in midocean. chose as.its his
torian Brother Daniel H. Ayers, a mem
Der OF King Solomon's Lodge, No. 81, Of
Troy, y. Y. Brother Ayers is an en-
thusiastic Mason and deep student Of
affairs and things Masonic. He has just
issued a souvenir Of the S. S. Celtic
Masonic Association which is an ex-i
luisitely bound brochure OF some forty
pages and is a most valuable addition to-
Masonic literature. The cover Is a
the souvenir medal which was presented
to each member Of the association by
the president. Most Worshipful Thomas
J. Shylock, Grand Master Of Masons in
is reproduced in gilt and the
badge of the association consisting OF
! life buoy in gilt surrounding white
Star Line pennant with blue ribbon
attached upon which appears the name
of the association in appropriate eolors.
The procure is handsomely illustrated.
A full page portrait Of the president, NJ.
". Thomas J. Shylock. is the frontis-
piece. There is also full page portrait
,f William Smith Brown, of Pittsburg.
Pa. the secretary of the association. A
half tone reproduction of the certificate
If membership in the association Is in
.eresting as is also the photograph Of
4 tablet in the Tomb Of Meri at SAX
xarah. (site of ancient Memphis.) The
,ther illustrations are photographs, the
frst of which shows the association
grouped on the forward deck OF the Cell
.ic, the next is flash light picture of
he lodge in the quarries at Jerusalem.
he third Is flash light taken OF the
Interior Of the quarries. while the last
S o group OF distinguished Masons at
he entrance of Solomon's Quarries.
On returning to the United States
many of the brethren of the steamship
Celtic Masonic Association were dis
Igreeably surprised to learn that con-
iderable adverse comment and hasty
criticism had been made by some of the
iasonic press on the ground that the as
ociation had violated Masonic law by.
listing the lodge at Jerusalem after It
ad been suspended by the Grand Lodge
4 Canada at its annual communication
n July. 1901. No one on the Celtic knew
I this; nor does it appear that at the
ime of the visit the Jerusalem Lodge
ias aware of the action of its superior;
ofs the notice of the suspension from the
rand secretary OF the Grand Lodge
t Canada to the Royal Solomon Mother
.odge was dated March IL. 1902. aud re-
eived by the Jerusalem Lodge April s.
902. The summons to the Worshipful
Master and officers OF that lodge to ap-
ear at the annual communication OF
he Grand Lodge of Canada. to be held
uly 11-1S. 1902. there 10 show cause
Thy its warrant should not be with
rawn was forwarded from Canada
farch 81. 1902. according TO the state
lent OF the Acting Grand Master Of
anada in his last annual address.
ince the meetings OF the Jerusalem
.odge which were attended by the MEM
ers of the association we're held March
-9-15, and 16, 1892. 1t is plain that the
lembers OF the Royal Solomon Mother
odge can reasonably claim that they
'ere not at that time cognizant OF the
ituation. II. therefore, any transgres-
ion OF Masonic law has been commit.
I'D it was done in ignorance. and un.
ri tuh hIa coucuro ic Ovt 0f ,xlon1