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Article MASONIC CURIOSITIES.-IV. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE MARK DEGREE. Page 1 of 1 Article THE MARK DEGREE. Page 1 of 1 Article THE MARK DEGREE. Page 1 of 1 Article LETTER from a BROTHER in ENGLAND to a BROTHER in SCOTLAND. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Curiosities.-Iv.
volume of the Sacred Law , opened and containing in bold type the words , "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God , and the Word was God . " It was engraved by T . Harper , 207 , Fleet-street ,
London , and is certainly a meritorious production . On each side of the certificate the Royal Arch Jewel is represented , with the following engraved thereon : — Si Tallia Jungerc Possis Sit Tibis Scire . Nil nisi
clavis Dcest . Eyphkamcn . Clavis Mundi . Invenimus . We have found . Cultor Dei .
The Light shineth in Darkness , and the Darkness comprehendeth it not . In the East a place of Light where reign , Virtue , Silence and Peace . To all the Companions of that Exalted and Supreme Degree of Masons , styled THE ROYAL ARCH , Health , Peace and Goodwill . Be it known and well certified to all and every truly worthy Companion of this Supreme Degree of Masonry ,
that our Loving Brother , aged years , has honourably passed the Chair of our Lodge of Love and Honour , No . , and likewise been exalted to the Supreme Degree of Most Excellent Royal Arch Mason , in our Volubken Chapter of Virtue , Silence , and Peace , No . , held at Falmouth , in the County of
Cornwall , under the sanction and patronageof the Supreme Grand and Royal Chapter of England . We therefore , the Most Excellent Grand Principals , & c , particularly recommend him to the notice of all worthy Companions , wherever these presents may come . Given under our hands and the seal of our Chapter at
Falmouth , this day of , A . L . , A . D . , and the better to identify our said Brother and Companion , he hath subscribed his name in the margin . ( To be continued . )
The Mark Degree.
THE MARK DEGREE .
BY A SCOTTISH MARK MASTER . The position of the Mark Degree in this country seems to demand a few words , and more especially at the moment at which we write , when the S . G . R . A . Chapter of Scotland has established under her authority a Provincial Grand Mark Lodge in Lancashire .
One of the lodges in the Province of Lancashire ( the St . John's , No . 2 , S . C . ) received their warrant from the Supreme Chapter of Scotland before the formation of the Grand Mark Lodge of England , and is undoubtedly the oldest
warranted Mark Lodge in the kingdom—perhaps in the world . Be this as it may , the circumstances of the establishment of the G . M . Lodge are too fresh in tlie recollections of most of our readers to need recapitulation ; and were
this not so , a complete resume of the whole affair has appeared within the last few months in the columns of a certain periodical . Suffice it to say that , at present , we have in England the Mark degree under three different auspices ;
first , tlie Grand Mark Lodge of England and Wales , & c ; secondly , the Mark Lodges holding of tlie Supreme Chapter of Scotland ; and , lastly , the independent and time-immemorial lodges who are still autonomous , among whom we
may mention the so-called "Grand" Mark Lodge of Ashton , the Newstead Lodge at Nottingham , and many others . Several lodges formerly with Scottisli warrants have surrendered them , and have given in their allegiance to thc
English body , who have also under their control many of the old independent lodges . The lodges on the roll ofthe G . M . L . of England now number about no , and possess upwards of 5 , 000 members . The actual number of Scottish
lodges in this country is 9 , and their subscribing members are about 500 . There are perhaps about twelve independent lodges , who may probably muster 600 members , but owing to the difficulty of obtaining reliable statistics , the
writer is unable to authoritatively make a positive statement . Such is our present ; what will be our future ? Che lo sa . Are we to have union and peace , or disunion , anarchy , ancl war ? The Grand Mark
Master in his protest addressed to tlie S . G . R . A . Chapter of Scotland , states that he " can in no way recognise thc warrants or certificates ksucd by the G . C . of Scotland " until they transfer their allegiance to the G . M . L . of England , but
The Mark Degree.
as all Scottish Mark Masters have been always strictly prohibited from visiting English lodges , and as English Mark Masters when joining Scottish lodges have to be regularly advanced as Master Masons , this ukase still leaves matters in statu quo . AVe also believe that Mark Masters
of independent lodges have to be advanced in the usual way when joining either an English or Scottish Mark Lodge . In justification of the so-called invasion of territory by Scotland , permit us to say that the Scottish Grand Chapter did not interfere with
the degree in England until they had been almost forced into it by those English brethren who founded the St . Mark ' s Lodge , No . 1 , the Thistle Lodge , & c ., & c ., and that they did so , not for the purpose of making a handsome income from the " duped brethren , " as insinuated
by THE FREEMASON of a late date , but solely for the purpose of protecting and legalising a degree which they , consider an essential part of both Craft and Capitular Masonry . As a proof of this , no annual subscription is demanded from members , and the only fees paid or payable to
the G . C . of Scotland are 3 s . for registration and 2 s . 6 d . for certificate ; the rule in Scotland being—once an initiate , always a member . With regard to the jurisdiction claimed by the G . R . A . Chapter of Scotland over the Mark degree , we may state that the same claim is made
by every Grand Royal Arch Chapter in the world , with the sole exception of England , whose G . C . is simply an impcriuni in imfcrio . We think we have fairly stated the evils undci which the Mark degree now suffers , and the problem is how to alleviate them , and , if possible
bind up the broken fragments . In our mind this knotty question admits of three probable solutions—which are recognition , union , and concurrent jurisdiction . The first is undoubtedly the best , and could easily be obtained by a motion being carried in Grand Lodge to the following
effect : " That while this Grand Lodge fully recognises that clause of the Articles of Union , which states that pure and ancient Masonry consists of three degrees , and three only ( Entered Apprentice , Fellow Craft , and Master Mason , including the Holy Royal Arch ) , it cannot be
ignorant of the existence of other bodies , whose object is the working of degrees which , although not forming part of Ancient Masonry , are connected with it collaterally , and this Grand Lodge understanding that a degree called the Mark degree is extensively worked in England under the
authority of a body styling itself the Grand Mark Lodgeof England , Wales , & c , do hereby acknowledge this degree as a collateral Masonic degree , but not as a part of pure and ancient Masonry , and do acknowledge the body styling itself the Grand Mark Lodge of England , Wales , & c , as the lawful head of this degree . " The
writer respectfully offers this idea , crude as it may be , for the consideration of the large and powerful body whom he addresses . Should this motion be carried—and why should it not ?—everything becomes easy . The Scottish warrants are null and void , our past is a inbuilt rasa , and our future roseate and bright .
This is our first and best proposal . Our second—union—may be arrived at by a conference between the representatives ofthe various bodies concerned in the matter , and would amount to a recognition of the G . M . Lodge of England as the head ofthe Mark degree in
England by the other bodies who claim jurisdiction over that degree . A gigantic stride in this direction has been made of late by the < irand Chapters of Ireland and Canada having recognised as true and lawful Mark Masters those brethren advanced as Mark Master Masons in
the lodges holding of the Grand Mark Lodge of England ( see clause No . 3 of Protest of the G . M . M . ) . Should this recognition take place , again will the Scottish Mark warrants cease to be valid , and the G . M . L . will be the only legal jurisdiction in England , and will be * on terms of
amity with every other lodge or chapter governing the degree . Our third and last proposition is , we fear , almost Utopian . It is that the Scottish G . C . should acknowledge the G . M . Lodge as a legal governing bod )* , and permit visits to and from
The Mark Degree.
Mark Master Lodges of each Constitution , allowing brethren to choose their own head , and arranging tbat the certificates of either body should be a qualification for affiliation and admission by the other ; subject , of course , to the usual ballot , & c , by the various lodges . Although
this probable solution of the difficuly would not give us union , it would give us peace , and perhaps , in time , the Scottish brethren , seeing the advantages of belonging to a native jurisdiction , would come under one head . At present , although there is a most kindly feeling
among the Scottish brethren towards the English Grand Body—mainly owing to the personal influence of the Grand Mark Secretary , Bro . Frederick Binckes , to whom we are personally indebted for many acts of kindness , and to whose energy and zeal we have much pleasure
in thus publicly testifying—still there is a strong feeling that to the Grand Chapter of Scotland their allegiance is due , and " until they see fit in some measure to release them , they are in honour and duty bound to adhere to that body . The Grand Lodge must take the initiative , and we look to them for the solution of the
difficulty . We must personally apologise for having thus obtruded ourselves , but we write in all sincerity and earnestness , only desiring that which may most benefit a degree that we all—whether Scottish , English , or independent—agree in admiring and upholding .
Letter From A Brother In England To A Brother In Scotland.
LETTER from a BROTHER in ENGLAND to a BROTHER in SCOTLAND .
PROV . GRAND LODGES IN SCOTLAND . Evil is like the poisoned fount of a river ; it does not confine itself to the parent source , but ,
with the flow of the waters , spreads desolation and ultimate ruin through the whole length of its course . So is it with Freemasonry . Let demoralisation and lawlessness appear in a Grand Lodge , then the subordinate lodges become
demoralised and lawless . This , unfortunately , is tlie state of Freemasonry in Scotland . The Grand Lodge has no interest in the daughter lodges , beyond what money can be obtained from them * no proper supervision is kept over
them , and they are left to their own unguided and unassisted endeavours to conform to thc lex scrip / a and the traditions of the Order . That this is altogether wrong , and altogether alien to Freemasonry , Grand Lodge admits ; but she
shrugs her shoulders at nny mention of responsibility in the affair , and thinks that she has done sufficient when she appoints a Provincial Grand Master . This plea might be a good one if she appointed brethren who would seriously
discharge the duties of the oflice , or if she insisted upon an annual report from each province ofthe working of the lodges therein . This she does not do , but leaves all to chance ; and so daughter
lodges , having no fear of a superior authority over them , become careless of their duties , and often fall into abeyance from the want of a little judicious oversight .
The following table will give some idea of the state ofthe Provincial Grand Lodges in Scotland as compared with England . England , although not anything like perfection , is still vastly in
advance of almost every other Grand Lodge 111 Europe , and has a perfect machinery , which , doubtless , in time will prove of the requisite utility for thoroughly improving any laxity in its working ¦* . —
I ' r . r .-rnci . il Grand lodges in England and 1 Valet , l » 6 ( j No . | P . G . Masters npprVintcd . I Working Ordei 42 I . IS All .
Provineia ' - Gran ,. ' lodge .: in Scotland , 1 S 69 . No . I Worl-in-- Order . ! Not working . 3 ° I S j 22 Taking the list of Provincial Grand Masters for 1 S 69 , a single glance will show why they
were appointed , and also why Freemasonry is at so low an ebb in Scotland . The men appointed arc not particularly renowned in the annals of
their country . The . six peers , with one exception , have not particularly brightened up the Lords , the M . P . ' s have not electrified the Commonsas legislators , their excellence might lie reckoned
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Curiosities.-Iv.
volume of the Sacred Law , opened and containing in bold type the words , "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God , and the Word was God . " It was engraved by T . Harper , 207 , Fleet-street ,
London , and is certainly a meritorious production . On each side of the certificate the Royal Arch Jewel is represented , with the following engraved thereon : — Si Tallia Jungerc Possis Sit Tibis Scire . Nil nisi
clavis Dcest . Eyphkamcn . Clavis Mundi . Invenimus . We have found . Cultor Dei .
The Light shineth in Darkness , and the Darkness comprehendeth it not . In the East a place of Light where reign , Virtue , Silence and Peace . To all the Companions of that Exalted and Supreme Degree of Masons , styled THE ROYAL ARCH , Health , Peace and Goodwill . Be it known and well certified to all and every truly worthy Companion of this Supreme Degree of Masonry ,
that our Loving Brother , aged years , has honourably passed the Chair of our Lodge of Love and Honour , No . , and likewise been exalted to the Supreme Degree of Most Excellent Royal Arch Mason , in our Volubken Chapter of Virtue , Silence , and Peace , No . , held at Falmouth , in the County of
Cornwall , under the sanction and patronageof the Supreme Grand and Royal Chapter of England . We therefore , the Most Excellent Grand Principals , & c , particularly recommend him to the notice of all worthy Companions , wherever these presents may come . Given under our hands and the seal of our Chapter at
Falmouth , this day of , A . L . , A . D . , and the better to identify our said Brother and Companion , he hath subscribed his name in the margin . ( To be continued . )
The Mark Degree.
THE MARK DEGREE .
BY A SCOTTISH MARK MASTER . The position of the Mark Degree in this country seems to demand a few words , and more especially at the moment at which we write , when the S . G . R . A . Chapter of Scotland has established under her authority a Provincial Grand Mark Lodge in Lancashire .
One of the lodges in the Province of Lancashire ( the St . John's , No . 2 , S . C . ) received their warrant from the Supreme Chapter of Scotland before the formation of the Grand Mark Lodge of England , and is undoubtedly the oldest
warranted Mark Lodge in the kingdom—perhaps in the world . Be this as it may , the circumstances of the establishment of the G . M . Lodge are too fresh in tlie recollections of most of our readers to need recapitulation ; and were
this not so , a complete resume of the whole affair has appeared within the last few months in the columns of a certain periodical . Suffice it to say that , at present , we have in England the Mark degree under three different auspices ;
first , tlie Grand Mark Lodge of England and Wales , & c ; secondly , the Mark Lodges holding of tlie Supreme Chapter of Scotland ; and , lastly , the independent and time-immemorial lodges who are still autonomous , among whom we
may mention the so-called "Grand" Mark Lodge of Ashton , the Newstead Lodge at Nottingham , and many others . Several lodges formerly with Scottisli warrants have surrendered them , and have given in their allegiance to thc
English body , who have also under their control many of the old independent lodges . The lodges on the roll ofthe G . M . L . of England now number about no , and possess upwards of 5 , 000 members . The actual number of Scottish
lodges in this country is 9 , and their subscribing members are about 500 . There are perhaps about twelve independent lodges , who may probably muster 600 members , but owing to the difficulty of obtaining reliable statistics , the
writer is unable to authoritatively make a positive statement . Such is our present ; what will be our future ? Che lo sa . Are we to have union and peace , or disunion , anarchy , ancl war ? The Grand Mark
Master in his protest addressed to tlie S . G . R . A . Chapter of Scotland , states that he " can in no way recognise thc warrants or certificates ksucd by the G . C . of Scotland " until they transfer their allegiance to the G . M . L . of England , but
The Mark Degree.
as all Scottish Mark Masters have been always strictly prohibited from visiting English lodges , and as English Mark Masters when joining Scottish lodges have to be regularly advanced as Master Masons , this ukase still leaves matters in statu quo . AVe also believe that Mark Masters
of independent lodges have to be advanced in the usual way when joining either an English or Scottish Mark Lodge . In justification of the so-called invasion of territory by Scotland , permit us to say that the Scottish Grand Chapter did not interfere with
the degree in England until they had been almost forced into it by those English brethren who founded the St . Mark ' s Lodge , No . 1 , the Thistle Lodge , & c ., & c ., and that they did so , not for the purpose of making a handsome income from the " duped brethren , " as insinuated
by THE FREEMASON of a late date , but solely for the purpose of protecting and legalising a degree which they , consider an essential part of both Craft and Capitular Masonry . As a proof of this , no annual subscription is demanded from members , and the only fees paid or payable to
the G . C . of Scotland are 3 s . for registration and 2 s . 6 d . for certificate ; the rule in Scotland being—once an initiate , always a member . With regard to the jurisdiction claimed by the G . R . A . Chapter of Scotland over the Mark degree , we may state that the same claim is made
by every Grand Royal Arch Chapter in the world , with the sole exception of England , whose G . C . is simply an impcriuni in imfcrio . We think we have fairly stated the evils undci which the Mark degree now suffers , and the problem is how to alleviate them , and , if possible
bind up the broken fragments . In our mind this knotty question admits of three probable solutions—which are recognition , union , and concurrent jurisdiction . The first is undoubtedly the best , and could easily be obtained by a motion being carried in Grand Lodge to the following
effect : " That while this Grand Lodge fully recognises that clause of the Articles of Union , which states that pure and ancient Masonry consists of three degrees , and three only ( Entered Apprentice , Fellow Craft , and Master Mason , including the Holy Royal Arch ) , it cannot be
ignorant of the existence of other bodies , whose object is the working of degrees which , although not forming part of Ancient Masonry , are connected with it collaterally , and this Grand Lodge understanding that a degree called the Mark degree is extensively worked in England under the
authority of a body styling itself the Grand Mark Lodgeof England , Wales , & c , do hereby acknowledge this degree as a collateral Masonic degree , but not as a part of pure and ancient Masonry , and do acknowledge the body styling itself the Grand Mark Lodge of England , Wales , & c , as the lawful head of this degree . " The
writer respectfully offers this idea , crude as it may be , for the consideration of the large and powerful body whom he addresses . Should this motion be carried—and why should it not ?—everything becomes easy . The Scottish warrants are null and void , our past is a inbuilt rasa , and our future roseate and bright .
This is our first and best proposal . Our second—union—may be arrived at by a conference between the representatives ofthe various bodies concerned in the matter , and would amount to a recognition of the G . M . Lodge of England as the head ofthe Mark degree in
England by the other bodies who claim jurisdiction over that degree . A gigantic stride in this direction has been made of late by the < irand Chapters of Ireland and Canada having recognised as true and lawful Mark Masters those brethren advanced as Mark Master Masons in
the lodges holding of the Grand Mark Lodge of England ( see clause No . 3 of Protest of the G . M . M . ) . Should this recognition take place , again will the Scottish Mark warrants cease to be valid , and the G . M . L . will be the only legal jurisdiction in England , and will be * on terms of
amity with every other lodge or chapter governing the degree . Our third and last proposition is , we fear , almost Utopian . It is that the Scottish G . C . should acknowledge the G . M . Lodge as a legal governing bod )* , and permit visits to and from
The Mark Degree.
Mark Master Lodges of each Constitution , allowing brethren to choose their own head , and arranging tbat the certificates of either body should be a qualification for affiliation and admission by the other ; subject , of course , to the usual ballot , & c , by the various lodges . Although
this probable solution of the difficuly would not give us union , it would give us peace , and perhaps , in time , the Scottish brethren , seeing the advantages of belonging to a native jurisdiction , would come under one head . At present , although there is a most kindly feeling
among the Scottish brethren towards the English Grand Body—mainly owing to the personal influence of the Grand Mark Secretary , Bro . Frederick Binckes , to whom we are personally indebted for many acts of kindness , and to whose energy and zeal we have much pleasure
in thus publicly testifying—still there is a strong feeling that to the Grand Chapter of Scotland their allegiance is due , and " until they see fit in some measure to release them , they are in honour and duty bound to adhere to that body . The Grand Lodge must take the initiative , and we look to them for the solution of the
difficulty . We must personally apologise for having thus obtruded ourselves , but we write in all sincerity and earnestness , only desiring that which may most benefit a degree that we all—whether Scottish , English , or independent—agree in admiring and upholding .
Letter From A Brother In England To A Brother In Scotland.
LETTER from a BROTHER in ENGLAND to a BROTHER in SCOTLAND .
PROV . GRAND LODGES IN SCOTLAND . Evil is like the poisoned fount of a river ; it does not confine itself to the parent source , but ,
with the flow of the waters , spreads desolation and ultimate ruin through the whole length of its course . So is it with Freemasonry . Let demoralisation and lawlessness appear in a Grand Lodge , then the subordinate lodges become
demoralised and lawless . This , unfortunately , is tlie state of Freemasonry in Scotland . The Grand Lodge has no interest in the daughter lodges , beyond what money can be obtained from them * no proper supervision is kept over
them , and they are left to their own unguided and unassisted endeavours to conform to thc lex scrip / a and the traditions of the Order . That this is altogether wrong , and altogether alien to Freemasonry , Grand Lodge admits ; but she
shrugs her shoulders at nny mention of responsibility in the affair , and thinks that she has done sufficient when she appoints a Provincial Grand Master . This plea might be a good one if she appointed brethren who would seriously
discharge the duties of the oflice , or if she insisted upon an annual report from each province ofthe working of the lodges therein . This she does not do , but leaves all to chance ; and so daughter
lodges , having no fear of a superior authority over them , become careless of their duties , and often fall into abeyance from the want of a little judicious oversight .
The following table will give some idea of the state ofthe Provincial Grand Lodges in Scotland as compared with England . England , although not anything like perfection , is still vastly in
advance of almost every other Grand Lodge 111 Europe , and has a perfect machinery , which , doubtless , in time will prove of the requisite utility for thoroughly improving any laxity in its working ¦* . —
I ' r . r .-rnci . il Grand lodges in England and 1 Valet , l » 6 ( j No . | P . G . Masters npprVintcd . I Working Ordei 42 I . IS All .
Provineia ' - Gran ,. ' lodge .: in Scotland , 1 S 69 . No . I Worl-in-- Order . ! Not working . 3 ° I S j 22 Taking the list of Provincial Grand Masters for 1 S 69 , a single glance will show why they
were appointed , and also why Freemasonry is at so low an ebb in Scotland . The men appointed arc not particularly renowned in the annals of
their country . The . six peers , with one exception , have not particularly brightened up the Lords , the M . P . ' s have not electrified the Commonsas legislators , their excellence might lie reckoned