Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

BRO . EMRA FIOLMES'S LECTURE ON FREEMASONRY AND THE ROYAL ARK MARINER DEGREE .

( To The Editor of the Freemason . ) SIR , — As the within alludes to a lecture , part of which appeared in your columns , and as the

matter may be of interest to some of the brethren , I forward the two letters for insertion , presuming Bro . Guide does not object . Yours fraternally , EMRA HOLMES .

Cambridge , May 9 th , 1872 . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — As the Chief Officer of the Order of Royal Ark Mariners in the Province of Suffolk , I have to draw your attention to a report of the able

lecture you delivered at St . Luke ' s Chapter , Ipswich , on the 2 7 th of March , which appears in the Freemason , of April 6 th . You are reported to have stated , " In Scotland the candidate must

be a Mark Master , as well as a P . M ., ( to be eligible for the Royal Arch Degree ) , and Chapters in Scotland also conferred the degree of Royal Ark Mariner , which is now given in England under the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters . "

This statement , would you allow me to suggest , is erroneous , and I shall feel obliged if you will take steps to inform the brethren M . M . M . that such is not the case , for hy Article 79 , a Treaty signed on the 6 th of July , 1871 , by

representatives of the Grand Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners , and of the G . L . Mark , it was expressly provided , " That pending the satisfaction of this Treaty , no further Warrants shall be issued b y the Grand Mark Master for working the Royal Ark Mariners' Degree . "

It is unnecessary for me to inform one , doubtless my senior , and apparently so learned in the science of Masonry , that the degree of Ark Mariners has been worked since 1772 , if not hefore ; that His Royal Highness die Duke of

Clarence was Grand Commander of the Order ; that the Warrant has been transmitted from one to another , and that Bro . Dorrington invested Bro . Morton Edwards with full powers as Supreme Grand Commander .

I feel sure that the statement you made was unintentional , and was the result of a wish , which I have every reason to believe will soon he fulfilled , of seeing the Royal Ark Degree attached to the Mark . Such , however , is not the case at

present , and till this happy conclusion is effected , the Order is entirel y distinct , and the power of working the degree is vested in the Supreme Grand Commander alone , and the Officers and lodge acting under his authority .

I have the honour to he , Dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , CHRIS . V . CIIILDK , I 8 ° , P . M . Inspect . Gen . R . A . M . of Prov . of Suffolk , Mark Master Mason , Lodge 112 . To Bro . Emra Holmes .

Ipswich , 30 th May , 1 S 72 . My DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — I am in receipt of your letter of the 9 th inst ., which I should have answered before , but I have been in communication with Bro . Binckes ,

the Grand Secretary of the Mark Grand Lodge , on the subject . I based my statement upon Bro . Bincke ' s official letter in the Freemason , and bearing in mind the inherent ri ght of several of the old lodges to confer the degree of R . A . M . as a side degree , if they felt disposed .

I am afraid that , as a loyal member of the Mark Grand Lodge , and of the other Grand bodies , partners in the tri-partite treaty , I should not he doing my duty if 1 did not acknowled ge the fact that the Mark Grand Lodge is the onl y

recognised authority'for conferring the Royal Ark Mariner Degree . Bro . Binckes , in his letter to me , says "This Grand Lodge has the requisite authority to issue warrants of the Royal Ark Mariner ' s Degree

and those lodges and brethren holding under this jurisdiction as Mark Master Masons , and wishing to work the Ark Mariner Degree , are in honour and duty bound , to seek the power they wish to exercise from this Grand Lodge .

Original Correspondence.

I cannot but agree with Bro . Binckes in this . The multip lication of Grand Bodies is detrimental to Masonry , besides , as I think , being wholly unnecessary . I suppose you will admit that the formation of aRoyal ArkMariner ' sGrandLodgeisunknown

anywhere else than in England ; that such titles as Inspector General , which belong entirely to the 33 A . and A . Rite and no other , are new in the Royal Ark ; that the Royal Ark Mariner Degree is generally admitted to be as much a side degree as the Mark itself was , until the

formation of the Mark Grand Lodge , and without the shadow of a claim to its antiquity ; that the ceremony itself is unworthy of the name , ( I speak on the authority of some of your own chiefs ) , and that much unnecessary bickering and unpleasantness has been the consequence of the

movement . For my own part , I cannot understand how brethren , who have sworn allegiance , like myself , to the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters , can take a part in the propagation of the rite outside her pale , consistently with their obligation , but I do

not pretend to judge their motives in the matter . As to Bro . Morton Edwards , I wish to say nothing , and for yourself , I feel sure that you are inspired by the purest intentions in wishing to correct my statements . You must forgive me if I say , however , that I

am not convinced as to the necessity for a Grand Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners ; as to the impropriety of my own Grand Lodge assuming control over the degrees ; nor even of the sufficiency of Bro . Morton Edwards' authority for the establishment of your order on an

independent ] footing . I could tell you more , and about the conferring of other degrees , with a usurped authority , but I refrain . Hoping that I may some day have the pleasure of meeting you , when we can-talk , better than write , on things Masonic , and that you will pardon me if I have

said anything to annoy you on this subject . Believe me fraternally yours , EMRA HOLMES , 31 , P . M . W . M . Albert Victor Lodge of Mark Masters Grand Provost Grand Conclave of Knights Templar , P . G . A . D . C . Suffolk . Member of the R . O . of Scotland .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

At a meeting of the General Committee of above Institution , held on Tuesday the 4 th inst ., Bro . J . R . Sheen in the chair , the following brethren were nominated as members of the House Committee for the ensuing year : — Hro . William Roebuck 35 „ W . Raynham Stewart 24 „ Henry Browse 22

,, George Cox 22 „ J . Giles Chancellor 22 „ Benjamin Head 22 „ William Paas 22 S . Rosenthal 21

,, w .. * .. u ^ x ........ . — - „ Benjamin Mallam 20 „ George Plucknett 19 „ Fred . A . Philbrick 17 „ W . Sabben , M . D 13

' ,, Joseph Taylor 11 „ Capt . J . Wordsworth , 10 The first twelve were elected . The Audit Committee was re-elected .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings.

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS .

for the Week ending Friday , June 14 th , 1 S 72 . SATURDAY , J 8 . Lodge 10 S , London , Ship and Turtle , Lcadi'iiliaH-sl . ,, 176 , Caveac . ,, 77 S , Bard of Avon Lodge , Angel Hotel , Staines . ,, 1328 , Gianite , freemasons' I lull .

„ 13 ( 11 , United Service , Swan Hotel , Wimbledon , Mark Lodge , 104 , Maedunald , Head Quaiters First Survey Iiirlcs , Brunswick-road , Camberwell . Star Lodge of Instruction ( 1275 ) , Marquis of Granb ;' New Cross-road , at 7 ; Bro . C . S . Dilley , Preceptor Sp hinx Lodge of Instruction ( 1321 )) , Stirling Castle ,

Camberwell , at 7 30 ; Bros . Thomas and W 01 thinejton Preceptors . Mount Sinai Chapter of Instruction , Union Tavern , Airstreet , at 8 ; Comp . Brett , Preceptor . Manchester Lodge of Instruction , Yorkshire Grey , London Street , Fitzroy-Stiuarc , at 8 . Bro Ash , P . M ., Preceptor .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings.

MONDAY , J UNE 10 . Lodge 29 , St . Alban ' s , Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-st . Sincerity Lodge of Instruction ( i 74 ) r Railway Tavern Fenchurch-street Station , at 7 . Strong Man Lodge of Instruction ( 45 ) , Old Jerusalem Tavern , St . John ' s Gate , Clerkenwell , at 8 ; Bro . James Terry , Preceptor .

Camden Lodge of Instruction ( 704 ) , Adelaide Tavern , Haverstock-nill , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Eastern Star Lodge of Instruction ( 95 ) , Royal Hotel , Mileend-road , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . E . Gottheil , Preceptor . British Oak Lodge of Instruction , Bank of Friendship Tavern , Mile End , at 7 for 8 . St . James ' s Union Lodge of Instruction ( 180 ) , Horse and ' Groom Tavern , Winsley-street , ( opposite the Pantheon ) ,

Oxford-street , at 8 ; Bro . J . R . Stacey , Preceptor . Wellington Lodge of Instruction , White Swan Tavern , Deptford , at 8 ; Bro . C . G . Willey , P . M . 1155 , Preceptor . St . John of Wapping Lodge of Instruction ( 1306 ) , Gun

Tavern , High-street , Wapping , at 7 ; Bro . T . Mortlock , Preceptor . West Kent Lodge of Improvement ( 1297 ) , St . Saviour's College , Stansted-road , forest-hill , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . H . W . Lindus , Preceptor .

IUESDAY , JUNE II . Lodge 548 , Wellington , White Swan Tavern , Deptford . „ 834 , Ranelagh , Royal Sussex ( lotel , Hammersmith . „ 1209 , Stanhope , Thicket Hotel , Anerley , Surrey . Metropolitan Chapter of Instruction , Portugal Hotel Fleet-street , at 7 ; Comp . Brett , Preceptor . Domatic Lodge of Instruction , Palmerston Tav .,

Grosvenorpark , Camberwell , at 8 . Bro . John Thomas , Preceptor . faith Lodge of Instruction , Refreshment Rooms , Victoria-st . ( opposite Westminster Palace I lotel ) at 8 ; Bro . C . A . Cottcbruuc , Preceptor . Yarborough Lodge of Instruction , Green Dragon , Stepney , at 8 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor .

Prince Fredk . William Lodge of Instruction ( 753 ) , Knights of St . John Tavern , St . John ' s Wood Bro . F . G . Baker , Preceptor . Dalhousie Lodge of Instruction , King Edward , Triangle , Hackney , at 7 . 30 . Bro . J . Saunders , Preceptor . Sydney Lodge of Instruction ( 829 ) , Cambridge Hotel , Upper Norwood , at 7 . 30 .

Florence Nightingale Lodge of Instruction , Masonic Hall , William-street , Woolwich , at 7 . 30 . Prosperity Lodge of Instruction , Gladstone Tavtrn , Bishopsgate-st . Within , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . Bolton , ( W . M . 1227 ) , Preceptor . St . Marylebone Lodge of Instruction ( 1305 ) , British Stores Tavern , New-street , St . John ' s Wood , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor .

WEDNESDAY , J 12 . Committee of Royal . Masonic Benevolent Institution , at 3 . Lodgeioi 7 , Montefiore , Freemasons' Hall . „ 1216 , Macdonald , Brunswick-st ., Camberwell . „ 122 S , Beacontree . Private Rooms , Leytonstone . ,, 1260 , Hervey , Swan Tavern , Walham Green . „ 1305 , St . Marylebone , Eyre Arms Tavern , St . John ' s

Wood . „ 1306 , St . John of Wapping , Gun Tavern , High-st . Wapping . Pythagorean Lodge of Instruction ( 79 ) , Prince of Orange , Greenwich , at 8 ; Bro . J . Robt . Nash , Preceptor . United Strength Lodge of Instruction ( 228 ) , the Grafton

Arms , Prince of Wales' Road , Kentish Town , at 8 ; Bro . J . N . Frost , Preceptor . Israel Lodge of Instruction , Rising Sun Tavern , Globe-road , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor . New Concord Lodge of Instruction , Rosemary Branch Tavern , Hoxton , at 8 . Confidence Lodge of Instruction , Railway Tav .,

Londonstreet , City , at 7 . 30 . Royal Union Lodge of Instruction , Horse and Groom Tavern , Winsley-street , Oxford-street , at 8 . Bro . T . A . Adams , Pieceptor . Peckham Lodge of Instruction , Maismorc Arms , Park-road , Peckham iu 8 ; Bro . David Rose , Preceptor . Temperance in the East Lodge of Instruction , George the

Fourth , Catherine-street , Poplar . Stanhope Lodge of Instruction . Thicket Hotel , Anerly , at 7 . 30 . p . m . ; Bro . II . W . Lindus , Preceptor . THURSDAY , J 13 . Lodgei 227 , Upton , Spotted Dog , Upton , Essex . „ 1 288 , Finsbury Park , Finsbury Park Tavern , I Iolloway . Chapter , 72 , Royal Jubilee , Horns Tavern , Kennington . „ Gin , Beadon , Greyhound Hotel , Dulwich .

The R . A . Chapter of Improvement , Freemasons' Hall , at 7 ; Comp . Brett , Preceptor . Ceremony , explanation of R . A . Jewel anil Solids , part sections . Fic ' eiity Lodge of Instruction ( 3 ) , Yorkshire Grey , Londonst ., Tottenham Court-road , at 8 : Bro . T . A . Adams ,

Preceptor . Panmure Lodge of Instruction ( 720 ) , Balham Hotel , Balham , at 7 30 ; Bro . John Thomas , Preceptor . Finsbury Lodge of Instruction , Jolly Anglers' Tavern , Bath-street , City-road ; Bro . Stean , Preceptor . United Mariners' Lodge of Instruction , Three Cranes

Mi \ e-end-road , at 8 ; Bro . T . . ] . Barnes , Preceptor . Whittington Lodge of Instruction ( 862 ) , Crown Tavern , Ilolborn , at 8 ; Bro . Lewis Alexander , P . M . 188 . Preceptor . Chigwell Lodge of Instruction , Bald-faced Stag Hotel , Buckhurst Hill , at 7 . 30 .

FKIDAY , JUNE 14 . Lodge 134 , Caledonian , Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-st . Chapter 6 , friendship , Willis's Rooms , St . James's . Chapter 33 , Britannic , freemasons' Hall . Unions Emulation Lodge of Improvement for M . M . ' s * Freemasons' Hall , at 7 .