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Article GRAND MARK LODGE. ← Page 2 of 3 Article GRAND MARK LODGE. Page 2 of 3 Article GRAND MARK LODGE. Page 2 of 3 →
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Grand Mark Lodge.
ren great satisfaction . The appointment of Bro . Ilomainc Callender was one that would give great satisfaction throughout the whole of Mark Masonry . No doubt it was the best that could be made . The appointment of Senior Warden was also an admirable one . That brother had
performed eminent services both in Hampshire , his ( Bro . Portal ' s ) native county , and also in London ; and the other brethren appointed had also been very energetic . After the toast had been drunk .
Ihe M . W . G . M . said he had to thank the brethren for the kind manner in which they had received the toast that had just been proposed . The best answer he could give would , he thought , be his discharge in a proper manner of the duties of his office during the ensuing year . He would
endeavour to merit the kindness with which they had received him , and would endeavour to uphold the dignity and privileges of tha Mark Degree . ( Hear , hear . ) As Grand Master he would take care that his duties in any other sphere of life and in any other degree of Masonry should in
no way interfere with his duties as Grand Master of M 3 rk Freemasons . Fully believing that a friendly feeling and union between all Masonic bodies was necessary , he was quite persuaded and convinced that that could not be brought about by any surrender of principle , or the rights of one body to another . Whatever degree they
might be engaged in at the time they must throw themselves heartily into endeavouring to carry out the working and upholding the interests of that degree . Therefore , certainly it was never in his thoughts to imagine that anything could have passed in any way refit cting on him individually , or was intended to do so . He felt that he had
endeavoured to discharge his duties as an officer in the other degrees , and he feltjthat he should always endeavour to the best of his ability to discharge his duties in this degree . In anything that had been said he was quite sure every brother who spoke , like himself , had at heart the
best interests of Freemasonry in general , and of the Mark Degree in particular . Having been as he had always endeavoured to be an active member of every degree that he had taken up , and no doubt in those degrees differing from various members of them , still having received great
kindness from all those members with whom he had worked , he attributed the best possible reasons and motives to all those brothers who had dilreredfromhim . They had given proofs , he believed thatheitherside had suffered any loss of mutual esteem . ( Hear , hear . ) He trusted so . He
could say that he had never felt any such loss , and the brethren who differed from him he was quite sure only carried out what were their honest views . If in future he disagreed in opinion with any of the brethren , he hoped they would extend to him the kindness they had
shown in the past , and he would promise them he would never look on any expressions of fair criticism on what he might do in the light of personal attacks . ( Cheers . ) The M . W . G . M . said the next toast deserved more enthusiasm than the last , because the
subjects of it had already rendered great services to the degree , "The Past Grand Masters . " Although they had gone through the chair , and been of infinite use to the Order , they were still ready , willing , and active in promoting its best interests . Under each of them the Order had
extended , and they had one and all done their duty . The marked increase and growing prosperity ofthe Mark Degree testified to their work , and he would be happy at a future time to be among their number . He would couple the name of Bro . Portal with the toast .
Bro . the Rev . G . R . Portal , P . G . M ., in reply said there was one advantage in having a large number cf Past Grand Masters ; it secured the holding of the office of Grand Master for onl y three years ; ic also secured a number of brethren ready to advise the Grand Master on any points that might arise . It also prevented back stairs
influence , which their late respected liro . Stebbing was so determined an opponent of , in the appointment of officers . Everything now must be above board . On the whole , the degree was in a very prosperous and satisfactory condition . A few years ago they were very hard run by Grand Chapter of Scotland , which had Mark Lodges in this country , and which were as
Grand Mark Lodge.
numerous as ours . Now that the lodge at Bristol , which , no doubt , was influenced by the Grand Master , had come under this jurisdiction , there was but one Scotch Lodge in England that still held aloof from our banner , and he believed that Grand Secretarv would join with him in
saying he wished it might always hold itself aloof , because it was no honour whatever to the Grand Chapter of Scotland . Ireland , he was happy to say , would be most glad to recognise Grand Mark Lodge of England , a result which was , no doubt , due to the persuasive eloquence
of Grand Secretary , who had recently been making a tour in Ireland and impressing the Irish favourably with this Grand Body . Being intimately acquainted with all the ins and the outs he ( Bro . Portal ) might fairly congratulate the Order upon its satisfactory condition . They
were adding about 1 , 000 members every year , and were including all the Masonic world . As he had often said before he would say again , that what time he had to devote to Masonry would be devoted to this degree , and nothing would please him so much as to find himself among Mark Masons . ( Hear , hear . )
The M . W . G . M . then proposed " The Grand Officers of the Year . " He had endeavoured to
select those who he believed were most respected in Mark Masonry , and who were hard-working Mark Master Masons . He thought he had been fortunate enough to surround himself with a band of Grand Officers who would not do
discredit to this Grand Lodge , iheir work in the past was but a presage of what it would be in the future . The promise was good , and he believed it would lead to performance , and that at the end of their term of office Grand Lodge would be able to pronounce a favourable verdict
on the manner in which they had discharged their duties . He regretted that all were not at that moment present , but reasons were given in Grand Lodge for their absence . Bro . Romaine Callender was engaged in Parliament on business of importance , but there was another brother
present it gave him great pleasure to see , and who , lu was very glad , had accepted the office of Senior Grand Warden , Bro . Sir Frederick Perkins , whom he would call i : pon to return thanks for "The Deputy Grand Master and the Grand Officers . "
Bro . Sir F . Perkins , after making some facetious observations on a song being interposed between the proposition of the toast and his reply , said he was proud to have been elevated , so perfect a stranger as he was to the Grand Master , to the dignified position he then occupied . It
was exceedingly gratify ing . Amidst all the vicissitudes of life and all the pleasures and triumphs he had attained—and struggled hard to attain—to succeed in reaching such a proud position as that he then occupied was most
grateful to his heart . No honour could be more pleasing to him , for he now was Senior Warden among a most distinguished body of brethren . He was not , and never would be , unmindful of his duties as a Mason . He had been one ever
since he was permitted by age to be associated with Masonry * he had had a love for it , and nature had-j implanted in his bosom that which became all Masons to have , a generous and kind heart , and a desire to do good . He felt he should not disgrace this honourable fraternity , and he
hoped to be the means of sustaining Ins lordship and supporting his dignity during the year , by standing by him on every occasion . ( Cheers . ) The M . W . G . M . next proposed "The Oflicers , including the Provincial Grand Masters . " Nothing showed more the increasing prosperity
of the Mark Degree than the way in whicli trie provinces had increased . It showed how the degree had taken hold on the various parts , nut only of the United Kingdom , but of our colonies , when they saw provinces b ^ ing formed wherever two or three lodges of Mark Masters were
established . ( Hear , hear . ) There was a distinguished brother among them that night who had come from the very distant Province of Bombay . ( Hear , hear . ) He was exceedingly proud to see him , and he thought it was a conclusive proof
of the marked stride of the Order when they saw among them a Provincial Grand Master from such a distant province . All the brethren knew Bro . Tyrrell Leith b y reputation as a most zealous and hard-working Mason . He was , how-
Grand Mark Lodge.
ever , but a fair example of those brethren who were to be found among the Provincial Grand Masters of this country . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Tyrrell Leith , Prov . Grand Master , Bombay , said , after thanking the Grand Master for the terms in which he had spoken of him ,
that they suggested to him a thought to which he wished to give expression . As the mariner on nearing his native shores longed to welcome again and to be welcomed by the friends of his youth , so the Mason , who for years and years was separated from
the friends dear to him in Masonry , came to the shores of England , and looked forward to the friendly grasp of the hand which each Mason accorded him . ( Cheers . ) And , believe him , he was not disappointed . He had seized every opportunity during thc short time he had been in
England to see the brethren in the various degrees to which hi belonged , and on this occasion he had received no less hearty a welcoma than on any other . He must be allowed to congratulate the Grand Master on the appointments he had made . They were the greatest guarantee of the
future success ofthe Order . The sacred trust reposed in the Grand Master would be transmitted to his successor as of yo ^ e . ( Hear , hear . ) He was glad also to be present at a meeting at which so distinguished a Mason as Bro . Portal was present . He believed the Mark Degree owed almost everything to Bro . Portal .
Bro . Portal ' s name was a rallying cry among Mark Masons . When he ( Bro . Leith ) went back to Bombay he should express to the brethren then : the gratification he had that evening had . Although , in what he might be perhaps permitted to call " the gorgeous East , " there were but few Mark Lodges comparatively , yet they were as zealous as the brethren here . Nothino" should
be wanting on their part to extend the Order , which he believed he was right in asserting was a part and parcel of ancient Freemasonry , and which ought never to have been rejected by the Craft . He sincerely hoped the time would come when , as the Grand Master had said , there
would be as many Mark Masons as Craft Masons . Then they might fearlessly look forword to the time when Grand Lodge , of England would acknowledge them . In the East Masons were doing their best , and it was only by the
hearty co-operation of the Grand Master and Grand Officers , more especially the Grand Master , that they were able to carry their own . They were anxious to do everything right and proper to extend the degree and striving for its success . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . )
Ihe Rev . C . R . Davy proposed " The Grand Stewards . " Having been a Grand Steward himself , and done the best he could to provide a good dinner for the Grjnd Master , he spoke feelingly on this subject . ( Laughter . ) He believed his promotion as Grand Chaplain was due to this ;
and in the same wjy he looked forward to the Stewards on this occasion , who it must be confessed had all done their duty admirabl y and provided an excellent entertainment , becoming Grand Officers . Bro . Stretton , of Leicester , who was called on
to respond , said the province of Leicestershire was not unmindful of the honour this Grand Lodge had done it on a previous occasiou in visiting it at one of its " moveable feasts . " They could not forget tha kind manner in which their Most Worshipful Grand Master , Bro .
Portal , came amongst them , accompanied by Colonel Burdett and the Grand Oflicers , the Grand Secretary amongst them . The brethren of Leicester hoped on some future occasion for a repetition of the honour ; next year , indeed , when he ( Bro . Stretton ) would be Master of the Fowke Lodge ,
he hoped . If ho could induce Grand Lodge to come down it would be a great pleasure to him . ( Cheers . ) ¦ Sir E . Lechmere proposed "The Mark Benevolent Fund and the Masonic Charities , "
coupled with the name of Bro . Binckes . Thesooner he ( Sir E . Lechmere ) sat down and made way for that burst of eloquence which they always looked for on these occasions the better . Bro . Binckes undoubtedly did a great deal of patient hard work in daik corners and offices which did
not meet the eyes of the brethren ; but it was known by its results—the large lists of subscriptions which he obtained . As Craft and Mark
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Grand Mark Lodge.
ren great satisfaction . The appointment of Bro . Ilomainc Callender was one that would give great satisfaction throughout the whole of Mark Masonry . No doubt it was the best that could be made . The appointment of Senior Warden was also an admirable one . That brother had
performed eminent services both in Hampshire , his ( Bro . Portal ' s ) native county , and also in London ; and the other brethren appointed had also been very energetic . After the toast had been drunk .
Ihe M . W . G . M . said he had to thank the brethren for the kind manner in which they had received the toast that had just been proposed . The best answer he could give would , he thought , be his discharge in a proper manner of the duties of his office during the ensuing year . He would
endeavour to merit the kindness with which they had received him , and would endeavour to uphold the dignity and privileges of tha Mark Degree . ( Hear , hear . ) As Grand Master he would take care that his duties in any other sphere of life and in any other degree of Masonry should in
no way interfere with his duties as Grand Master of M 3 rk Freemasons . Fully believing that a friendly feeling and union between all Masonic bodies was necessary , he was quite persuaded and convinced that that could not be brought about by any surrender of principle , or the rights of one body to another . Whatever degree they
might be engaged in at the time they must throw themselves heartily into endeavouring to carry out the working and upholding the interests of that degree . Therefore , certainly it was never in his thoughts to imagine that anything could have passed in any way refit cting on him individually , or was intended to do so . He felt that he had
endeavoured to discharge his duties as an officer in the other degrees , and he feltjthat he should always endeavour to the best of his ability to discharge his duties in this degree . In anything that had been said he was quite sure every brother who spoke , like himself , had at heart the
best interests of Freemasonry in general , and of the Mark Degree in particular . Having been as he had always endeavoured to be an active member of every degree that he had taken up , and no doubt in those degrees differing from various members of them , still having received great
kindness from all those members with whom he had worked , he attributed the best possible reasons and motives to all those brothers who had dilreredfromhim . They had given proofs , he believed thatheitherside had suffered any loss of mutual esteem . ( Hear , hear . ) He trusted so . He
could say that he had never felt any such loss , and the brethren who differed from him he was quite sure only carried out what were their honest views . If in future he disagreed in opinion with any of the brethren , he hoped they would extend to him the kindness they had
shown in the past , and he would promise them he would never look on any expressions of fair criticism on what he might do in the light of personal attacks . ( Cheers . ) The M . W . G . M . said the next toast deserved more enthusiasm than the last , because the
subjects of it had already rendered great services to the degree , "The Past Grand Masters . " Although they had gone through the chair , and been of infinite use to the Order , they were still ready , willing , and active in promoting its best interests . Under each of them the Order had
extended , and they had one and all done their duty . The marked increase and growing prosperity ofthe Mark Degree testified to their work , and he would be happy at a future time to be among their number . He would couple the name of Bro . Portal with the toast .
Bro . the Rev . G . R . Portal , P . G . M ., in reply said there was one advantage in having a large number cf Past Grand Masters ; it secured the holding of the office of Grand Master for onl y three years ; ic also secured a number of brethren ready to advise the Grand Master on any points that might arise . It also prevented back stairs
influence , which their late respected liro . Stebbing was so determined an opponent of , in the appointment of officers . Everything now must be above board . On the whole , the degree was in a very prosperous and satisfactory condition . A few years ago they were very hard run by Grand Chapter of Scotland , which had Mark Lodges in this country , and which were as
Grand Mark Lodge.
numerous as ours . Now that the lodge at Bristol , which , no doubt , was influenced by the Grand Master , had come under this jurisdiction , there was but one Scotch Lodge in England that still held aloof from our banner , and he believed that Grand Secretarv would join with him in
saying he wished it might always hold itself aloof , because it was no honour whatever to the Grand Chapter of Scotland . Ireland , he was happy to say , would be most glad to recognise Grand Mark Lodge of England , a result which was , no doubt , due to the persuasive eloquence
of Grand Secretary , who had recently been making a tour in Ireland and impressing the Irish favourably with this Grand Body . Being intimately acquainted with all the ins and the outs he ( Bro . Portal ) might fairly congratulate the Order upon its satisfactory condition . They
were adding about 1 , 000 members every year , and were including all the Masonic world . As he had often said before he would say again , that what time he had to devote to Masonry would be devoted to this degree , and nothing would please him so much as to find himself among Mark Masons . ( Hear , hear . )
The M . W . G . M . then proposed " The Grand Officers of the Year . " He had endeavoured to
select those who he believed were most respected in Mark Masonry , and who were hard-working Mark Master Masons . He thought he had been fortunate enough to surround himself with a band of Grand Officers who would not do
discredit to this Grand Lodge , iheir work in the past was but a presage of what it would be in the future . The promise was good , and he believed it would lead to performance , and that at the end of their term of office Grand Lodge would be able to pronounce a favourable verdict
on the manner in which they had discharged their duties . He regretted that all were not at that moment present , but reasons were given in Grand Lodge for their absence . Bro . Romaine Callender was engaged in Parliament on business of importance , but there was another brother
present it gave him great pleasure to see , and who , lu was very glad , had accepted the office of Senior Grand Warden , Bro . Sir Frederick Perkins , whom he would call i : pon to return thanks for "The Deputy Grand Master and the Grand Officers . "
Bro . Sir F . Perkins , after making some facetious observations on a song being interposed between the proposition of the toast and his reply , said he was proud to have been elevated , so perfect a stranger as he was to the Grand Master , to the dignified position he then occupied . It
was exceedingly gratify ing . Amidst all the vicissitudes of life and all the pleasures and triumphs he had attained—and struggled hard to attain—to succeed in reaching such a proud position as that he then occupied was most
grateful to his heart . No honour could be more pleasing to him , for he now was Senior Warden among a most distinguished body of brethren . He was not , and never would be , unmindful of his duties as a Mason . He had been one ever
since he was permitted by age to be associated with Masonry * he had had a love for it , and nature had-j implanted in his bosom that which became all Masons to have , a generous and kind heart , and a desire to do good . He felt he should not disgrace this honourable fraternity , and he
hoped to be the means of sustaining Ins lordship and supporting his dignity during the year , by standing by him on every occasion . ( Cheers . ) The M . W . G . M . next proposed "The Oflicers , including the Provincial Grand Masters . " Nothing showed more the increasing prosperity
of the Mark Degree than the way in whicli trie provinces had increased . It showed how the degree had taken hold on the various parts , nut only of the United Kingdom , but of our colonies , when they saw provinces b ^ ing formed wherever two or three lodges of Mark Masters were
established . ( Hear , hear . ) There was a distinguished brother among them that night who had come from the very distant Province of Bombay . ( Hear , hear . ) He was exceedingly proud to see him , and he thought it was a conclusive proof
of the marked stride of the Order when they saw among them a Provincial Grand Master from such a distant province . All the brethren knew Bro . Tyrrell Leith b y reputation as a most zealous and hard-working Mason . He was , how-
Grand Mark Lodge.
ever , but a fair example of those brethren who were to be found among the Provincial Grand Masters of this country . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Tyrrell Leith , Prov . Grand Master , Bombay , said , after thanking the Grand Master for the terms in which he had spoken of him ,
that they suggested to him a thought to which he wished to give expression . As the mariner on nearing his native shores longed to welcome again and to be welcomed by the friends of his youth , so the Mason , who for years and years was separated from
the friends dear to him in Masonry , came to the shores of England , and looked forward to the friendly grasp of the hand which each Mason accorded him . ( Cheers . ) And , believe him , he was not disappointed . He had seized every opportunity during thc short time he had been in
England to see the brethren in the various degrees to which hi belonged , and on this occasion he had received no less hearty a welcoma than on any other . He must be allowed to congratulate the Grand Master on the appointments he had made . They were the greatest guarantee of the
future success ofthe Order . The sacred trust reposed in the Grand Master would be transmitted to his successor as of yo ^ e . ( Hear , hear . ) He was glad also to be present at a meeting at which so distinguished a Mason as Bro . Portal was present . He believed the Mark Degree owed almost everything to Bro . Portal .
Bro . Portal ' s name was a rallying cry among Mark Masons . When he ( Bro . Leith ) went back to Bombay he should express to the brethren then : the gratification he had that evening had . Although , in what he might be perhaps permitted to call " the gorgeous East , " there were but few Mark Lodges comparatively , yet they were as zealous as the brethren here . Nothino" should
be wanting on their part to extend the Order , which he believed he was right in asserting was a part and parcel of ancient Freemasonry , and which ought never to have been rejected by the Craft . He sincerely hoped the time would come when , as the Grand Master had said , there
would be as many Mark Masons as Craft Masons . Then they might fearlessly look forword to the time when Grand Lodge , of England would acknowledge them . In the East Masons were doing their best , and it was only by the
hearty co-operation of the Grand Master and Grand Officers , more especially the Grand Master , that they were able to carry their own . They were anxious to do everything right and proper to extend the degree and striving for its success . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . )
Ihe Rev . C . R . Davy proposed " The Grand Stewards . " Having been a Grand Steward himself , and done the best he could to provide a good dinner for the Grjnd Master , he spoke feelingly on this subject . ( Laughter . ) He believed his promotion as Grand Chaplain was due to this ;
and in the same wjy he looked forward to the Stewards on this occasion , who it must be confessed had all done their duty admirabl y and provided an excellent entertainment , becoming Grand Officers . Bro . Stretton , of Leicester , who was called on
to respond , said the province of Leicestershire was not unmindful of the honour this Grand Lodge had done it on a previous occasiou in visiting it at one of its " moveable feasts . " They could not forget tha kind manner in which their Most Worshipful Grand Master , Bro .
Portal , came amongst them , accompanied by Colonel Burdett and the Grand Oflicers , the Grand Secretary amongst them . The brethren of Leicester hoped on some future occasion for a repetition of the honour ; next year , indeed , when he ( Bro . Stretton ) would be Master of the Fowke Lodge ,
he hoped . If ho could induce Grand Lodge to come down it would be a great pleasure to him . ( Cheers . ) ¦ Sir E . Lechmere proposed "The Mark Benevolent Fund and the Masonic Charities , "
coupled with the name of Bro . Binckes . Thesooner he ( Sir E . Lechmere ) sat down and made way for that burst of eloquence which they always looked for on these occasions the better . Bro . Binckes undoubtedly did a great deal of patient hard work in daik corners and offices which did
not meet the eyes of the brethren ; but it was known by its results—the large lists of subscriptions which he obtained . As Craft and Mark