Skip to main content
Museum of Freemasonry

Masonic Periodicals Online

  • Explore
  • Advanced Search
  • Home
  • Explore
  • The Freemason
  • June 10, 1871
  • Page 12
  • GRAND MARK LODGE.
Current:

The Freemason, June 10, 1871: Page 12

  • Back to The Freemason, June 10, 1871
  • Print image
  • Articles/Ads
    Article GRAND MARK LODGE. Page 1 of 2
    Article GRAND MARK LODGE. Page 1 of 2
    Article GRAND MARK LODGE. Page 1 of 2 →
Page 12

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Grand Mark Lodge.

GRAND MARK LODGE .

The Half-yearly Communication to Grand Mark Lodge Avas made on Tuesday at Freemasons' Tavern . Previous to the assembling of Grand Lodge , a Lodge of Improvement Avas held , at Avhich Bro . James Stevens , AV . M . 104 , presided , and Avorked the ceremony of

advancement m faultless style . At Grand Lodge the M . AV . G . M ., Bro . the Rev . G . R . Portal , took the chair , having Bro . Col . Adair in the S . AV . chair , and Bro . AV . E . Gumbleton in the J . AV . ; Bros . Jas . Stevens , S . O . ; Stebbing , Treasurer ; F . Binckes , G . Secretary ; Perkinton , 58 , Fearnley ,

Halifax ; S . Rosenthal , D . C ; and J . H . Wynne , as I . G . There were also present Bros , the Revs . T . F . Ravenshaw , D . Shaboe , AV . B . Church , C . R . Davy , N . Haycroft , D . D ., and J . Huyshe ; Bros . AV . AV . B . Beach ( P . G . M . ) , Col . Burdett , C . Hammerton , Eugene Cronin , AV . AVorrell , G .

Kenning , Morton Edwards , A . D . Loewenstark , M . A . LoeAvenstark , Lazarus , R . J . Spiers , T . Hargreaves , Emmanuel , J . C . Parkinson , J AV . Dawson , T . Meggy , Joshua Nunn , H . AV . Binckes , H . C . Levander , AV . S . AVebster , H . Massey , R . Spencer , and a full lodge .

After Grand Secretary had read the minutes of the December meeting , the report of the General Board was read . It stated that 489 certificates had been issued during the six months ending 31 st of last March , and that the number of charters for new Mark lodges was , in the same time , ten . Two

other provinces had , it was stated , also been constituted since that date . The events of more than ordinary importance which had occurred during the said six months were the holding of a conference lately in London between representatives of the various supreme Masonic jurisdictions in the

country exercising rule over the Mark Degree , with the object of obtaining unanimity of action between conflicting interests ; the concluding of treaties with the RedCrossOrder , theAncient and Accepted Rite 33 ° , and the Knights Templar ; the producing ofa tracing board for this Degree ; the determining

that the charity jewel should be presented at the expense of Grand Lodge ; the suspending for the present of Grand Lodge ' s decision on thc question of the qualification for office as AV . M . of a Mark lodge ; and the deciding by the Grand Master that Deputy Prov . Grand Masters should be nominated

by the Prov . Grand Masters , submitted to him for approval , and then receive thc rank of substantial Grand Officers , and have precedence immediately before the Grand Deacons . Thc report concluded by referring to the Ark Mariners' Degree , and stated that the stipulation made for thc payment of

the expenses of that body by Grand Mark Lodge having been complied with , and the meeting for the settlement of the details having been held , thc Grand Mark Master having moreover been elected Grand Commander of the Ark Degree , its affairs were now vested in Grand Mark Lodge , which was

prepared to issue warrants to Mark lodges empowering them to confer the degree . Bro . AA ' ebster moved , and Bro . Stebbing seconded , "That the report of thc General Board now read be received and entered on thc minutes , " Avhich motion was carried .

Bro . James Stevens moved , and Bro . Col . Burdett seconded , "That the design for a tracing board , as recommended by thc General Board , be approved and adopted , and that the thanks of the Grand Lodge be , and are hereby presented to Bro . S . Rosenthal , G . Director of Ceremonies , for

his kindness in presenting thc original painting to Grand Lodge . " Bro . Binckes stated that the tracing board to which thismotion referred , and which was exhibited in the room , had been presented in the handsomest way to Grand Lodge by Bro . S . Rosenthal , who

painted it . The motion having been unanimously carried , The M . AV . G . M ., addressing Bro . S . Rosenthal , said he had great pleasure in conveying to him the expression of the thanks of Grand Lodge . Bro . H . C . Levander moved , and liro . C .

Hammerton seconded , "That the recommendation of the Board with reference to the jewel to be worn by brethren presiding at , or serving the office of Steward for , the Annual Benevolent Fund Festival , be approved and confirmed . " Thc motion was then put and carried . Bro . Gumbleton moved , and Bro . A . D .

Loewenstark seconded , "That the sum of thirty guineas be placed at the disposal of the Grand Secretary as a special gratuity in consequence of the unusually large amount of business during the six months to 31 st of March last , and . which still continues . " The M . AV . G . M . said there was an alternative proposition before thc General Board which lie Avould like to have the opinion of Grand Lodge

Grand Mark Lodge.

upon . The work of Grand Secretary had increased very much with the progress made by this degree , inasmuch as there was not only the ordinary work of issuing the new certificates , but on every certificate a copy of the distinctive Mark of the brother whose certificate it was had to be drawn , and copied into the books of Grand Lodge . The gratuity

proposed did no more than meet the case of the great labour already undergone , but the subject for consideration was the remuneration for the future , as , if the work went on increasing , there might be constant motions for remuneration brought before the brethren . If the sum of one shilling were granted to Grand Secretary for each certificate issued ,

according to the work would be the reward . Bro . Gumbleton said there were several members of the Board who thought that a shilling should be allowed for every certificate above a certain number , say over 250 . Bro . Beach , P . G . M ., thought this a very reasonable proposition , and he recommended that it should be referred back to the General Board for

consideration . The motion for the grant of , £ 25 was then carried . Bro . Davison moved , and Bro . Levander seconded , " That the report of the General Board be adopted . " Bro . Morton Edwards moved as an amendment

the non-confirmation of that portion which referred to the Ark Mariner degree . There was at present a Grand Supreme Jurisdiction over this degree which had existed for some years , and though it had been in abeyance a considerable time , had recently been ' reconstituted . There was nothing in thc management of that degree which called for

any interference by another body . There were other minor considerations , the whole of which would , should the amendment be lost , be duly communicated to any brethren who might feel interested in the matter . Bro . A . D . Loewenstark seconded the amendment , and stated that if the stipulations in the

proposed treaty of union between the Mark and Ark degrees had been carried out , no amendment would have been proposed . Meeting after meeting had been held by the two bodies , and an agreement had been come to by resolution . This had not been fulfilled , and he consequently felt perfectly justified in seconding the amendment .

Bro . Binckes , in answer to the objections , would briefly state what had been done , and would also read a letter from the Grand Scribe of thc Ark Mariner degree . The first meeting to which allusion had been made was composed of members of both thc Mark and Ark degrees , at which nothing more important was done than the election of the

Grand Master of the Mark degree as the head of the Ark Mariners , and the appointment of a committee of Ark Mariners to discuss with Mark Masons the terms of a final arrangement between thc two bodies . After that , a meeting of the joint committee was held , and articles of agreement were drawn , talked over , ancl signed by the Grand Mark

Master on the one hand ancl thc brother styling himself Grand Commander of the Ark degree on the other . Those articles were afterwards modified , as read this day . At a subsequent meeting this treaty was again considered by the united committee , and certain modifications were agreed to by the representatives of thc Royal Ark Mariners

Lodge and Grand Mark Lodge . These were embodied in the minutes of March of the present year . A copy of the draft ofa convention based on those minutes was sent by himself ( Bro . Binckes ) to Bro . Morton Edwards , who styled himself the Grand Commander of the Royal Ark Mariners' Lodge , and there was no objection to any one of thc

stipulations made ; everything was conceded to that was thought reasonable . He had written to Bro . Edwards for that convention , aad had waited and waited , and waited in vain , for a reply . At thc first meeting there was rather a stormy discussion , but the brethren afterwards settled down ancl came to a thorough understanding as to what the articles of

agreement should be . They were drafted and shown to Bro . Edwards , and a copy was given him , which he ( Bro . Binckes ) was quite ready to read ; but he thought thc matter might be shortened if he submitted to this Grand Lodge thc following letter , which he had that afternoon received from Bro . Edwards : —

Grand Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners , Ofiice , I , Devcreux-court , Strand , London , AA' . C , June Oth , 1 S 71 . The AA' . Bro . Fredk . Binckes , Grantl . Secretary G . L . M . M . AV . Sir and Brother , —At a meeting of the Grand Council of the Orderof the Royal Ark Mariners held on

the 30 th May last , thc draft of the proposed treaty between the G . L . of R . A . M . and the G . L . of M . M ., prepared by you , was submitted , and after a long discussion it was unanimously resolved , "That as it differed considerably from what had been agreed upon as thc proposed basis of a treaty to be concluded between the two bodies , at thc joint meeting of representatives held on March 7 U 1 last at Red Lion-square , the treaty be rejected . "

Grand Mark Lodge.

I have therefore to inform you that a cheque will be forwarded for the amount advanced by the G . L . M . M . towards preliminary expenses for proposed attachment of the R . A . M . to the M . M . degree , less the cost of meetings , & c ., & c , held by desire of ancl at the request of the G . L . M . M ., as soon as the items of expenditure have been ascertained , I remain , W . Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally ,

( Sd . ) M . A . LOEWENSTARK , G . S .

He contended that this letter not only shut the door positively against all attempts at conciliation , but said bluntly " AVe will send you back your cheque and have nothing more to do with you . " Those were the facts of the case . This Grand Lodge had exhaused every means of making concession , and had failed in their object of uniting the two bodies .

Bro . Emmanuel was surprised that the proposal for a junction had fallen through , for he had thought the matter had been satisfactorily arranged by both parties at the meeting . He was sorry to hear the G . Secretary speak as though the differences w hich existed could not be healed . He ( Br . Emmanuel ) had always advocated peaceful measures by waiving a

little and giving a little . He had thought that that was the case , but seeing it was not , he would propose that the matter be deferred for the present and an attempt be made to reconcile their differences . Do not let such a thing as opposition be talked of . The M . AV . G . M . said it had never happened to him since he had had the honour of being Grand

Master to decline the offer made to him of the adoption of a conciliatory course ; but on this occasion he must honestly and candidly say that throughout this business he could not but feel that he had not been treated straightforwardly , but had been played fast-and-loose with . At the meeting referred to by the last speaker , the agreement was

left in a plain and tangible form , and they had asked Bro . Edwards to agree to it . They had written to him till they were sick of writing letters , and ten days ago he ( the Grand Master ) got Grand Secretary to appoint a meeting with Bro . Morton Edwards . He did so , but although he ( the Grand Master ) attended , Bro . Edwards never appeared .

He could not help feeling , and other brethren thought so , too , that there was a determination on the part of one or two brethren to carry out the organisation of the Ark degree , to spread it over the country , and then , perhaps , in six months to say to the Mark Grand Lodge : " AVe are such a strong body now that we shall not allow you to

take us up . " After giving the matter careful consideration—after considering the antiquity of the Ark Mariner degree , and whether Mark lodges could confer it ( which they could , for Bro . Lazarus , who took it 50 years ago in a Mark lodge at Bath , was present and would testify to the power)—he must ask Grand Lodge to support him . It was his

wish , as he had often said before , to work cordially with the Ark Mariner body , ancl it would still be his desire to meet the brethren composing that quasi Grand Body , and , if possible , come to terms with them upon thc basis of the agreement come to at thc meeting two months ago . But he thought that the letter received by Grand Secretary from Bro .

Edwards shut the door against such a scheme because it said , in plain English , " AVe intend to work independently ; we send you back yourjeheque , and will have nothing to do Avith you . " After a few words from Bros . Joshua Nunn and S . Rosenthal , Bro . James Stevens suggested , though he did not

know that such was the case , that there might be some requirement on thc part of thc Ark Mariners that they should have some post of distinction in Grand Mark Lodge : there might be something of that kind which had prevented an arrangement being come to , but he saw no reason why , under ordinary circumstances , the arrangement should

not be carried out . If it was , it might produce more satisfactory results than the Ark Mariner Lodge could effect by itself . They seemed to be standing in their own light , and he would recommend them to reconsider thc course they Avere taking , liro . Morton Edwards would , as some imputations had

been cast upon him for not keeping his appointment * -, that he had been keeping out of thc way , explain that six weeks after the meeting in Red Lion-square he received Ihe draft treaty , and a meeting of thc Council of the Ark degree had to be called to consider it , and copies had lo be given to them . That having been done , an appointment , not of his concurring in , was made to meet the Mark

Blasters . On that day he had certain business engagements which could not be put off , and thc notice he had of the meeting was so short that he had not even time to let them know he could not attend . With respect to recent meetings , he could say he had been out of town , and only returned two hours ago . As to thc Grand Master ' s connection with Ark Marinership , though he had

written to THE FRKF . MASON that he had no connection with the Grand Lotlge of Ark Mariners , he had been elcctctl Grand Commander , but he was not by reason of his being Grand Mark Master , Grand Commander of Ark Mariners . That he ( Bro . Edwards ) totally disagreed with . The warrant of Grand Ark Lodge was as old as 1793 . and the degree had been worked almost continuously

“The Freemason: 1871-06-10, Page 12” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 17 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fvl/issues/fvl_10061871/page/12/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
Untitled Ad 1
Untitled Ad 1
Untitled Ad 1
Untitled Ad 1
Untitled Ad 1
Untitled Ad 1
Untitled Ad 1
Untitled Ad 1
Untitled Ad 1
Untitled Ad 1
Untitled Ad 1
Untitled Ad 1
Untitled Ad 1
Untitled Ad 1
Untitled Ad 1
Untitled Ad 2
Untitled Ad 2
Untitled Ad 2
Untitled Ad 2
Untitled Ad 2
Untitled Ad 2
Untitled Ad 2
Untitled Ad 2
WEST OF ENGLAND SANATORIUM. Article 2
THE "LITTLE" TESTIMONIAL FUND. Article 2
THE FREEMASONS' LIFE BOAT. Article 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS. Article 3
FREEMASONRY & ISRAELITISM. Article 3
PROCEEDINGS OF GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS, U.S. Article 4
CONSECRATION of the "MARQUIS of ZORNE" LODGE, No. 1354, at LEIGH. Article 5
Reports of Masonic Meetings. Article 6
ORDERS OF CHIVALRY. Article 7
THEATRICAL. Article 7
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Article 8
Births, Marriages, and Deaths. Article 8
Untitled Article 8
Untitled Article 8
THE UNRECOGNISED DEGREES. Article 8
Multum in Parbo, or Masonic Notes and Queries. Article 9
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. Article 9
GRAND LODGE. Article 9
GRAND MARK LODGE. Article 12
PROV. GRAND MARK LODGE OF SOMERSET. Article 13
SCOTLAND. Article 13
DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF BENGAL. Article 14
METROPOLITAN ALASONIC MEETINGS Article 14
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
MASONIC MUSIC IN STOCK. Article 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Page 1

Page 1

15 Articles
Page 2

Page 2

11 Articles
Page 3

Page 3

4 Articles
Page 4

Page 4

3 Articles
Page 5

Page 5

3 Articles
Page 6

Page 6

4 Articles
Page 7

Page 7

5 Articles
Page 8

Page 8

8 Articles
Page 9

Page 9

6 Articles
Page 10

Page 10

3 Articles
Page 11

Page 11

3 Articles
Page 12

Page 12

3 Articles
Page 13

Page 13

5 Articles
Page 14

Page 14

3 Articles
Page 15

Page 15

9 Articles
Page 16

Page 16

27 Articles
Page 12

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Grand Mark Lodge.

GRAND MARK LODGE .

The Half-yearly Communication to Grand Mark Lodge Avas made on Tuesday at Freemasons' Tavern . Previous to the assembling of Grand Lodge , a Lodge of Improvement Avas held , at Avhich Bro . James Stevens , AV . M . 104 , presided , and Avorked the ceremony of

advancement m faultless style . At Grand Lodge the M . AV . G . M ., Bro . the Rev . G . R . Portal , took the chair , having Bro . Col . Adair in the S . AV . chair , and Bro . AV . E . Gumbleton in the J . AV . ; Bros . Jas . Stevens , S . O . ; Stebbing , Treasurer ; F . Binckes , G . Secretary ; Perkinton , 58 , Fearnley ,

Halifax ; S . Rosenthal , D . C ; and J . H . Wynne , as I . G . There were also present Bros , the Revs . T . F . Ravenshaw , D . Shaboe , AV . B . Church , C . R . Davy , N . Haycroft , D . D ., and J . Huyshe ; Bros . AV . AV . B . Beach ( P . G . M . ) , Col . Burdett , C . Hammerton , Eugene Cronin , AV . AVorrell , G .

Kenning , Morton Edwards , A . D . Loewenstark , M . A . LoeAvenstark , Lazarus , R . J . Spiers , T . Hargreaves , Emmanuel , J . C . Parkinson , J AV . Dawson , T . Meggy , Joshua Nunn , H . AV . Binckes , H . C . Levander , AV . S . AVebster , H . Massey , R . Spencer , and a full lodge .

After Grand Secretary had read the minutes of the December meeting , the report of the General Board was read . It stated that 489 certificates had been issued during the six months ending 31 st of last March , and that the number of charters for new Mark lodges was , in the same time , ten . Two

other provinces had , it was stated , also been constituted since that date . The events of more than ordinary importance which had occurred during the said six months were the holding of a conference lately in London between representatives of the various supreme Masonic jurisdictions in the

country exercising rule over the Mark Degree , with the object of obtaining unanimity of action between conflicting interests ; the concluding of treaties with the RedCrossOrder , theAncient and Accepted Rite 33 ° , and the Knights Templar ; the producing ofa tracing board for this Degree ; the determining

that the charity jewel should be presented at the expense of Grand Lodge ; the suspending for the present of Grand Lodge ' s decision on thc question of the qualification for office as AV . M . of a Mark lodge ; and the deciding by the Grand Master that Deputy Prov . Grand Masters should be nominated

by the Prov . Grand Masters , submitted to him for approval , and then receive thc rank of substantial Grand Officers , and have precedence immediately before the Grand Deacons . Thc report concluded by referring to the Ark Mariners' Degree , and stated that the stipulation made for thc payment of

the expenses of that body by Grand Mark Lodge having been complied with , and the meeting for the settlement of the details having been held , thc Grand Mark Master having moreover been elected Grand Commander of the Ark Degree , its affairs were now vested in Grand Mark Lodge , which was

prepared to issue warrants to Mark lodges empowering them to confer the degree . Bro . AA ' ebster moved , and Bro . Stebbing seconded , "That the report of thc General Board now read be received and entered on thc minutes , " Avhich motion was carried .

Bro . James Stevens moved , and Bro . Col . Burdett seconded , "That the design for a tracing board , as recommended by thc General Board , be approved and adopted , and that the thanks of the Grand Lodge be , and are hereby presented to Bro . S . Rosenthal , G . Director of Ceremonies , for

his kindness in presenting thc original painting to Grand Lodge . " Bro . Binckes stated that the tracing board to which thismotion referred , and which was exhibited in the room , had been presented in the handsomest way to Grand Lodge by Bro . S . Rosenthal , who

painted it . The motion having been unanimously carried , The M . AV . G . M ., addressing Bro . S . Rosenthal , said he had great pleasure in conveying to him the expression of the thanks of Grand Lodge . Bro . H . C . Levander moved , and liro . C .

Hammerton seconded , "That the recommendation of the Board with reference to the jewel to be worn by brethren presiding at , or serving the office of Steward for , the Annual Benevolent Fund Festival , be approved and confirmed . " Thc motion was then put and carried . Bro . Gumbleton moved , and Bro . A . D .

Loewenstark seconded , "That the sum of thirty guineas be placed at the disposal of the Grand Secretary as a special gratuity in consequence of the unusually large amount of business during the six months to 31 st of March last , and . which still continues . " The M . AV . G . M . said there was an alternative proposition before thc General Board which lie Avould like to have the opinion of Grand Lodge

Grand Mark Lodge.

upon . The work of Grand Secretary had increased very much with the progress made by this degree , inasmuch as there was not only the ordinary work of issuing the new certificates , but on every certificate a copy of the distinctive Mark of the brother whose certificate it was had to be drawn , and copied into the books of Grand Lodge . The gratuity

proposed did no more than meet the case of the great labour already undergone , but the subject for consideration was the remuneration for the future , as , if the work went on increasing , there might be constant motions for remuneration brought before the brethren . If the sum of one shilling were granted to Grand Secretary for each certificate issued ,

according to the work would be the reward . Bro . Gumbleton said there were several members of the Board who thought that a shilling should be allowed for every certificate above a certain number , say over 250 . Bro . Beach , P . G . M ., thought this a very reasonable proposition , and he recommended that it should be referred back to the General Board for

consideration . The motion for the grant of , £ 25 was then carried . Bro . Davison moved , and Bro . Levander seconded , " That the report of the General Board be adopted . " Bro . Morton Edwards moved as an amendment

the non-confirmation of that portion which referred to the Ark Mariner degree . There was at present a Grand Supreme Jurisdiction over this degree which had existed for some years , and though it had been in abeyance a considerable time , had recently been ' reconstituted . There was nothing in thc management of that degree which called for

any interference by another body . There were other minor considerations , the whole of which would , should the amendment be lost , be duly communicated to any brethren who might feel interested in the matter . Bro . A . D . Loewenstark seconded the amendment , and stated that if the stipulations in the

proposed treaty of union between the Mark and Ark degrees had been carried out , no amendment would have been proposed . Meeting after meeting had been held by the two bodies , and an agreement had been come to by resolution . This had not been fulfilled , and he consequently felt perfectly justified in seconding the amendment .

Bro . Binckes , in answer to the objections , would briefly state what had been done , and would also read a letter from the Grand Scribe of thc Ark Mariner degree . The first meeting to which allusion had been made was composed of members of both thc Mark and Ark degrees , at which nothing more important was done than the election of the

Grand Master of the Mark degree as the head of the Ark Mariners , and the appointment of a committee of Ark Mariners to discuss with Mark Masons the terms of a final arrangement between thc two bodies . After that , a meeting of the joint committee was held , and articles of agreement were drawn , talked over , ancl signed by the Grand Mark

Master on the one hand ancl thc brother styling himself Grand Commander of the Ark degree on the other . Those articles were afterwards modified , as read this day . At a subsequent meeting this treaty was again considered by the united committee , and certain modifications were agreed to by the representatives of thc Royal Ark Mariners

Lodge and Grand Mark Lodge . These were embodied in the minutes of March of the present year . A copy of the draft ofa convention based on those minutes was sent by himself ( Bro . Binckes ) to Bro . Morton Edwards , who styled himself the Grand Commander of the Royal Ark Mariners' Lodge , and there was no objection to any one of thc

stipulations made ; everything was conceded to that was thought reasonable . He had written to Bro . Edwards for that convention , aad had waited and waited , and waited in vain , for a reply . At thc first meeting there was rather a stormy discussion , but the brethren afterwards settled down ancl came to a thorough understanding as to what the articles of

agreement should be . They were drafted and shown to Bro . Edwards , and a copy was given him , which he ( Bro . Binckes ) was quite ready to read ; but he thought thc matter might be shortened if he submitted to this Grand Lodge thc following letter , which he had that afternoon received from Bro . Edwards : —

Grand Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners , Ofiice , I , Devcreux-court , Strand , London , AA' . C , June Oth , 1 S 71 . The AA' . Bro . Fredk . Binckes , Grantl . Secretary G . L . M . M . AV . Sir and Brother , —At a meeting of the Grand Council of the Orderof the Royal Ark Mariners held on

the 30 th May last , thc draft of the proposed treaty between the G . L . of R . A . M . and the G . L . of M . M ., prepared by you , was submitted , and after a long discussion it was unanimously resolved , "That as it differed considerably from what had been agreed upon as thc proposed basis of a treaty to be concluded between the two bodies , at thc joint meeting of representatives held on March 7 U 1 last at Red Lion-square , the treaty be rejected . "

Grand Mark Lodge.

I have therefore to inform you that a cheque will be forwarded for the amount advanced by the G . L . M . M . towards preliminary expenses for proposed attachment of the R . A . M . to the M . M . degree , less the cost of meetings , & c ., & c , held by desire of ancl at the request of the G . L . M . M ., as soon as the items of expenditure have been ascertained , I remain , W . Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally ,

( Sd . ) M . A . LOEWENSTARK , G . S .

He contended that this letter not only shut the door positively against all attempts at conciliation , but said bluntly " AVe will send you back your cheque and have nothing more to do with you . " Those were the facts of the case . This Grand Lodge had exhaused every means of making concession , and had failed in their object of uniting the two bodies .

Bro . Emmanuel was surprised that the proposal for a junction had fallen through , for he had thought the matter had been satisfactorily arranged by both parties at the meeting . He was sorry to hear the G . Secretary speak as though the differences w hich existed could not be healed . He ( Br . Emmanuel ) had always advocated peaceful measures by waiving a

little and giving a little . He had thought that that was the case , but seeing it was not , he would propose that the matter be deferred for the present and an attempt be made to reconcile their differences . Do not let such a thing as opposition be talked of . The M . AV . G . M . said it had never happened to him since he had had the honour of being Grand

Master to decline the offer made to him of the adoption of a conciliatory course ; but on this occasion he must honestly and candidly say that throughout this business he could not but feel that he had not been treated straightforwardly , but had been played fast-and-loose with . At the meeting referred to by the last speaker , the agreement was

left in a plain and tangible form , and they had asked Bro . Edwards to agree to it . They had written to him till they were sick of writing letters , and ten days ago he ( the Grand Master ) got Grand Secretary to appoint a meeting with Bro . Morton Edwards . He did so , but although he ( the Grand Master ) attended , Bro . Edwards never appeared .

He could not help feeling , and other brethren thought so , too , that there was a determination on the part of one or two brethren to carry out the organisation of the Ark degree , to spread it over the country , and then , perhaps , in six months to say to the Mark Grand Lodge : " AVe are such a strong body now that we shall not allow you to

take us up . " After giving the matter careful consideration—after considering the antiquity of the Ark Mariner degree , and whether Mark lodges could confer it ( which they could , for Bro . Lazarus , who took it 50 years ago in a Mark lodge at Bath , was present and would testify to the power)—he must ask Grand Lodge to support him . It was his

wish , as he had often said before , to work cordially with the Ark Mariner body , ancl it would still be his desire to meet the brethren composing that quasi Grand Body , and , if possible , come to terms with them upon thc basis of the agreement come to at thc meeting two months ago . But he thought that the letter received by Grand Secretary from Bro .

Edwards shut the door against such a scheme because it said , in plain English , " AVe intend to work independently ; we send you back yourjeheque , and will have nothing to do Avith you . " After a few words from Bros . Joshua Nunn and S . Rosenthal , Bro . James Stevens suggested , though he did not

know that such was the case , that there might be some requirement on thc part of thc Ark Mariners that they should have some post of distinction in Grand Mark Lodge : there might be something of that kind which had prevented an arrangement being come to , but he saw no reason why , under ordinary circumstances , the arrangement should

not be carried out . If it was , it might produce more satisfactory results than the Ark Mariner Lodge could effect by itself . They seemed to be standing in their own light , and he would recommend them to reconsider thc course they Avere taking , liro . Morton Edwards would , as some imputations had

been cast upon him for not keeping his appointment * -, that he had been keeping out of thc way , explain that six weeks after the meeting in Red Lion-square he received Ihe draft treaty , and a meeting of thc Council of the Ark degree had to be called to consider it , and copies had lo be given to them . That having been done , an appointment , not of his concurring in , was made to meet the Mark

Blasters . On that day he had certain business engagements which could not be put off , and thc notice he had of the meeting was so short that he had not even time to let them know he could not attend . With respect to recent meetings , he could say he had been out of town , and only returned two hours ago . As to thc Grand Master ' s connection with Ark Marinership , though he had

written to THE FRKF . MASON that he had no connection with the Grand Lotlge of Ark Mariners , he had been elcctctl Grand Commander , but he was not by reason of his being Grand Mark Master , Grand Commander of Ark Mariners . That he ( Bro . Edwards ) totally disagreed with . The warrant of Grand Ark Lodge was as old as 1793 . and the degree had been worked almost continuously

  • Prev page
  • 1
  • 11
  • You're on page12
  • 13
  • 16
  • Next page
  • Accredited Museum Designated Outstanding Collection
  • LIBRARY AND MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST OF THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1058497 / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025

  • Accessibility statement

  • Designed, developed, and maintained by King's Digital Lab

We use cookies to track usage and preferences.

Privacy & cookie policy