The Grand Mark Lodge Of England.

have overlooked the important fact , whatever may be its antiquity , or its former relative Masonic position , the Mark Lodge has had , for more than half a century , its fixed and permanent place in the Masonic Government in this country and that it now holds a dependent existence

only . " We haye not overlooked this fact , ancl we are equally anxious that our able Bro ., the editor of the Freemasons' M . Magazine , should not overlook another fact , viz .: That we do not ask any Mark Lodge to recognise ( and exchange Representatives with ) us , but Grand Chapters , who are independent and have the power to do

what we seek from them . We are , as Mark Masons . under as independent a body , Masonically speaking , as any Royal Arch Grand Chapter , ancl we are simply solicitous for a friendly interchange of Representatives to promote the hig hest object of our beloved Order . Fraternally yours , WM . TAMES HUGH \ X .

* We have not as yet heard from any American source , entitled to consideration , any doubt regarding the legitimacy of the Grand Mark Lodge of England , and as a consequence , that among brothers of that grade , every certificate it may issue ought to be received and accepted as

evidence of regularity , entitling the possessor to just as much credit as would inure the holder of a Grand Lodge or Grand Chapter certificate of a constitutionally formed body of either . Ancl should the bearer of the same pass the Tyler ' s examination ; welcomed as cordially as the usages

of Masonry demand . But he could only be recognized as a Mark Master , ancl in a lodge of such when at labour . When the lodge was about to be opened in a hig her degree , the Mark Master would have to retire , his credentials being then exhausted of their force ancl viaour ; for a lodge

of Mark Masters bears the same relation to a Royal Arch Chapter , as does a lodge of E . A . P . ' s to a lodge of Master Masons . There is no equality between the two , and where there is no equality there can be no representation . The rule in that respect is arbitrary .

I'We have the best evidence in the world , notwithstanding our -esteemed friend and brother asserts—and his assertion may be entitled to credit—that " no evidence has ever been submitted of such an occurrence , as the conferring the Mark before the Master ' s degree , in England ,

Scotland , or Ireland . " We ( F . G . T . ) had the honour of being Master of St . John ' s Lodge No . i , New York City , in 18 4 8 , ' 49 , and ' 50 , ancl for the fourth time in 18 37 , the lodge at the close of that year

celebrating its centennial anniversary . For many months previous to the December 7 , 1837 , when the celebration took place , we were engaged in preparing a condensed history of the lodge from its records . These records o-ave the fullest

evidence that what was asserted by the older Masons of the Lodge as well as of other lodges was correct , and that the lodge originally conferred the Mark degree .

On the 24 th October , 1794 , the lodge ( as per records ) determined that the sum for initiation of modern Masons ( including Mark degree ) be reduced from £ 4 to 40 s . In 1 793 , the minutes show that one modern Mason was thus healed

and admitted a full member of the lodge . The Minute Book of the Lodge at the close of year r / 9 6 read thus : "The accounts of St . John ' s Mark Lodge No . 1 , made up to December 23 , 179 6 , show a balance due the Treasury of £ 0 18 s ., '' meaning the treasury of the Masters '

Lodge . These records also showed not only that the Mark degree was given under the authority of the Lodge Warrant , and that a special fee was paid for the same , but that the officers of the Masters' Lodge were the officers of the Mark Lodge , the conferring of the degree preceeding the conferring of that of Master Mason . This

degree was continued to be conferred until M ay 20 , 1802 , under the Lodge Warrant , or for some four year ancl four months after the establishment of the Gen . Grand R . Arch Chapter of the Northern States of America ( since 1806 known

as that of the United States ) which latter bod y embosomed in itself the several elegrees of Mark Master , Past Master ( virtual or honorary ) , M . Ex . Master and Royal Arch ; declaring that it , and the State Grand Chapters acknowledging it , had "riiesole government ancl superintendence " of

The Grand Mark Lodge Of England.

the said degrees ; The eiltry oil the minute book of St . John ' s Lodge No . 1 of May 23 , i 8 os , reads tlius : — " The balance of tiie funds belongs ing to St . John ' s Mark Lodge was paid over to the Treasurer of St . John ' s Lodge . " This can also be found in the history of the Lodge , printed in 18157 . It was , therefore , below the third , and

when the Lodge , as a Mark Lodge , discontinued to confer the degree ( probably owing to the establishment of the General Grand Chapter ) , the funds were paid over to the Treasurer of the Master Masons' Lodge , which controlled it previously . Our " consider "' then , is not opposed to facts , and our reference to the " lopping off " process , was something" more than idle speculation .

The very structure of the Mark Master ' s degree proves it to be a part , nay , the perfection of the Fellow Craft , for without the use of the implements of the Mark Master , the operative could not fashion the stone for the builder ' s use . The

plumb , the square , and the level could never perform the operation . The mallet ancl chisel were required . Again , the founders of the American Capitular System must have considered- the Mark Masters degree as below the third , else they would not have made it precede

the Past Master ' s ( so called ) degree . A symbolic lodge : when at labour in its hi g hest degree is but a body of Master Masons . The ceremony of the installation of a Master of a lodge , does not make him a fourth degree Mason . He only becomes for the time beinsr . the Chief Master Mason , ancl

when his term ol office expires , he falls back again to his membership as a fellow among his fellows , a Master Mason among Master Masons . Therefore , as a Past Master is but a Master Mason , distinguished by having been chosen to fill a certain station : and as the Mark Master ' s

degree precedes it , by the commonest rules of logic , it must be of an inferior grade , next below in rank , or in other words , the Fellow Craft comp leted . So much for the elucidation of Truth , ancl that Truth based upon common sense , and tmdisputable facts .

Dr . Albert G . Mackey , an authority of no mean order , in his excellent work , " The Masonic Lexicon , " in . speaking of the Mark Master ' s degree said : — " Mark Masters were the Masters of Fellow Craft Lodges , at the building of the Temple .

They distributed the Marks to the workmen , and made the first inspection of the work , which was afterward to be approved by the overseers . " Thesamedistingnishedauthor said that " Mark . Men were the Wardens . " j In regard to the G . Chapter of Pennsylvania ,

so flatteringly alluded to by our Bro Hughan , we have only to remark that it has never been a component part , or representative of the American system of Capitular Masonry . Nor is it now . From the earliest history of that G . Chapter as

a body of R . A . Masons down to the year 1824 , it was controlled by the Grand Lodge of Symbolic Masons of Pennsylvania . It was an isolated body , the Companions of which could not , from the nature of its organization affiliate or associate

with the Companions owing allegiance to the General Grand Chapter , especially as it did not require of its members the possession of the degree of Mark Master and M . Excellent Master .

The Past Master ' s degree it has never controlled , the G . Lodge still retaining sole control over that , even to . the conferring of the same by dispensation ; the revenue derived from which last year amounted to over S 6 . 000 .

lo relieve itself from its isolated position , it , 111 preparing its Constitution in 1823 ( one year before it became an independent Body : Resolved , That it be recommended to all brethren who now are , or hereafter may become

Royal Arch Masons to make themselves acquainted with the honorary degress of Mark Master and Most Excellent Master , as the means of enabling them to meet ancl act with their brethren in Arch Masonry throughout the United States .

On the 17 th May , 1824 the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania , as an attache of the G . Lodge of that State , closed sine die ; and on Ote same day did organize themselves into a Gutxn HOLY ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER , under and by virtue of the said Constitution , " meaning the one alluded to above . It then assumed , for the first time the

The Grand Mark Lodge Of England.

titles obtaining for officers in the G . Chapters under the G . G . Chapter of the United States , but did not claim jurisdiction over the Past Masters' ( so-catled ) degree . Therefore any action of the G . Chapter of Pennsylvania had in reference to the Grand Mark Lodge of England

Would have no weiglit among any bodies holding allegiance to the Gen . Gr . Chapter of the United States , or any other Grand Chapter in America , for it is " std generis . " As regards Bro . Hughan ' s further appeal for representation , and his arguments to sustain the

same , we have seen nothing to induce us to change our long since expressed opinions , or to view as not conclusive against him , the articles of beloved Brothers Charles W . Moore and T . S . Parvin . On the contrary , the more we have 1 ooked into the subject , the more fully have our

opinions been strengthened . As the Grand Chapters in the United States acknowledging the Gen . G . Chapter hold a precisely relative position to the same , as do the G , Commanderies under the G . Encampment , to

that supreme head , Bro . Hughan will readily perceive , that they also " are powerless without the consent of their chiefs . " We believe in recognition , but not in affiliation by representation . F , G , TJSIXVLL .

Trinidad.

TRINIDAD .

THE LAYING OE THE FOUNDATION STONE OF ATHOLE LODGE , SAN FERNANDO . The announcement that St . John ' s day , the 24 th instant , was fixed for the laying of the corner stone of the new building , for the accommodation of the members of Lodge Athole , No .

438 , was wide and generally known long ere the time arrived , with all the inclemency of a regular wet season day , appointed for the meeting of the members of the fraternity for that purpose , and despite the uninviting appearance of the streets , and the unceasing rains , between the hours of four ancl five , a large gathering of Masons

of Lodges Athole , and Royal Trinity , 572 , met above the store of Mr . J . P . Thatcher . Shortly afterwards His Worship the Mayor , the Town Clerk , ancl Messrs . Geo . Lambie and Bro . James Wharton , in a double capacity , arrived , representing the Corporation , closely followed by the members of the Harmonic Society .

Partly on account of the rains , ( and partly from the non-arrival of the R . W . Bro . J . A . Tench , the Provincial Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Scotland , who , we regret to say , did not attend , )

the forming of the procession was delayed until some time after five o ' clock , when it moved off , headed bv the band of the Harmonic Society , in the following order : — Tylers with drawn Swords .

Band . Members of the Corporation . Entered Apprentices . Fellow Crafts . Master Masons . Inner Guards with wands . Stewards .

Secretary with Jewel , & c . Treasurer . Deacon , with Wand . Orator and Bard with Book of Constitutions .

Past Officers . Wardens with Columns . Brethren with Corn , Wine , and Oil . Architect with plans ancl tools . Past Masters . Chaplain with Bible , Square and Compasses .

W . Master with Charter . Provincial Grand Junior ancl Senior Wardens . Deacon with Wand . The Band struck up Brother Charles Renaud ' s Masonic March , ancl the procession marched up High-street , and ascend Penitence-street , at the top of which it opened and

proceeded in inverted order , along Harris ' s Promenade , to the intended site , where there was a dais or platform erected for the special accommodation of the members of the Municipality , ancl the Principal members of the Craft , There was also a derrick erected , from which was suspended , by a set of patent differential blocks , a