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The Prince Of Wales And The Mark Degree.
THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE MARK DEGREE .
CONFERRING ON H . R . H . THE RANKS OF M . W . GRAND AND M . W . PAST GRAND MASTER .
His Royal Hig hness the Prince of Wales having appointed last Saturday as a convenient dav for receiving the rank of Grand Mark Master and Past Grand Mark Mas ' ter , Bro . Lord Henniker , M . W . Grand Master , called a Special Grand Lodge for that purpose , at three o ' clock . Long , however , before that hour , a large concourse of Mark Masons had assembled in the great hall of Freemasons' Tavern , to do honour to the Head of English Freemasons . It was nearly half-past three before the Grand Lodge was opened ,
and at that time there could not have been less than 500 brethren present . Lord Henniker , the Grand Master , entered the hall with his officers , who were under the direction of Bro . Robert Berridge , the Grand Director of Ceremonies . When Lord Henniker took his seal on the throne , he was supported on his righl by Bro . the Earl of Kintore , Deputy Grand
Mark Master , and on his left by H . R . H . the Duke of Albany , Past Grand Master . Bro . General Browning , C . B ., acted as Grand Senior Warden , and the Hon . Major Henniker , the Grand Junior Warden of the year , took the seat of Grand Junior Warden . In addition to the distinguished brethren already mentioned , the following Present and Past Grand Officers were in attendance :
M . W . Bros . Rev . Canon Portal and VV . VV . B . Beach , M . P ., P . G . M . M . Ms . ; R . W . Bros . T . Trollope , M . D ., Prov . G . M . Sussex ; Rev . W . M . Heath , Prov . G . M . Dorset ; W . Kelly , F . S . A ., Prov . G . M . Leicester ; Major J . VV . Woodall , Prov . G . M . N . and E . Yorks ; VV . A . F . Powell , J . P ., Prov- G . M . Bristol ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , Prov . G . M . Bucks . ; R . C . Else , J . P ., Prov . G . M . Somerset ; Major A . VV . O . baunders , Past G . M . Madras ; Capt . C . Hunter , Prov . G . M . North VVales ; A . M . Broadley , Past D . G . M . of the Mediterranean ; Percy Leith , P . P . G . M . Bombay ; Capt . N . G . Lord Arthur Hill
Philips , G . J . W . ; P . F . Halsey , M . F ., , Hon . W . P . Urde Powletr , G . F . Matier , and Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . Ws . ; V . W . Bros . H . R . Hatherly , G . M . O . ; Col . C . E . Bignold , G . S . O . ; S . G . Kirchoffer , G . J . O .: Capt . A . B . Cook , Magnus Ohren , J . E . Le Feuvre , W . Roebuck , R . Eve , E . C . Mather , T . Cubitt , J . T . Tweedale , O . H . Pearson , R . J . Mure , Col . J . C . Hay , and J . Stevens , P . G . Os . ; Rev . F . J . C . de Crespigny , G . Chap . ; Revs . W . Stainton Moses . VV . Randall , H . I . Hatch , C . 1 . Martyn , and A . W . Hall , P . G . Chaps . ;
Frederic Davison , G . Treas . ; H . C . Levander , M . A ., G . Reg . ; R . W . Bro . Frederick Binckes , P . G . W ., G . Sec ; V . W . Bro . D . M . Dewar , P . G . M . O ., A . G . Sec . ; W . Bro ** . A . F . Dodson , Prov . D . G . M . Warwick ; C . Stephens , Prov . D . G . M . Berks and Oxon ; Col . J . R . Bramble , Prov . D . G . M . Bristol ; T . Y . Strachan , Prov . D . G . M . Northumberland and Durham ; VV . Hickman , J . P ., Prov . D . G . M . Hants and I . of VV . ; Geo . B . Brodie , M . D ., and Geo . Cooper , G . S . Ds . ; T . J . Rolling and R . Harwood , G . J . D . ; S . Mattison , T . J . Pulley , Captain T . Hargreaves , F . VV . Ramsey ,
M . D ., 0 . S . Lane , G . Lambert , G . J . McKay , and A . Williams , P . G . Ds . ; R . W . Edis , G . l . of Wks .-, H . Lovegrove . C . H . Driver , and R . B . Wilson , P . G . Is . of Wks . S . Rosenthal , 'P . G . D . of C ; C . Lacey , P . G . A . D . of C . ; Controller S . G . Bake , G . 'Swd . Br . ; G . W . Verry , and T . C . Walls , P . G . Swd . Brs . ; W . Watkins and J . D . Murray , G . Std . Brs . ; C . T . Sparks , P . G . Std . Br . ; E . M . Lott , P . G . Org ., as G . Org . ; W . Ganz and VV . Belcher , P . G . Orgs . ; J . H . Banks , G . I . G . ; C . Pullman , P . G . I . G . ; P . lor Marsh Cumberland
Wallis , W . March , G . Ker , H . Faija , I " . Tay , I . G . , J . S . , C . Davies , and VV . C . Gilles , G . Stwds . ; J . Barker , T . J . Armstrong , W . J . Meek , T . W . Murley , H . Massey , M . Mildred , J . H . Wynne , C . W . Duke , F . W . Roch , Major P . Dunbar , H . J . Lardner , R . P . Spice , C . E . Soppett , VV . Stephens , J . E . Anderson , E . Gilbert , R . L . Loveland , VV . H . Gimingham , J . S . Cumberland , and J . Manwaring , P . G . Stewards ; and a large number of present and past Provincial Grand Officers and other brethren .
Apologies for non-attendance were received from M . W . Bros . Right Hon . Lord Leigh , Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , Right Hon . Lord Holmesdale , Right Hon . Earl Percy , and Right Hon . Earl of Lathom , M . W . P . G . M . Ms . ; R . W . Bros . Lieut .-Col . J . Tanner Davy , Prov . G . M . Devon ; Right Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton , Prov . G . M . Cheshire ; Rev . T . Robinson , Prov . G . M . Kent ; Rev . C . R . Davy , Prov . G . M . Gloucester ; J . Watson , Prov . G . M . Notts ; J . Sutcliffe , Prov . G . M . Lincolnshire ; Right Hon . Earl of Bective , Prov . G . M . Cumberland and
Westmorland ; Lieut .-Col . Foster Gough , LL . D ., Prov . G . M . Staffordshire ; W . J . Hughan , P . G . W . ; Dr . Hopkins , P . G . W . ; G . P . Brockbank , P . G . W . ; V . W . Bro . T . B . Whytehead , P . G . Overseer ; W . Bros . John Walker , Deputy Prov . G . M . Gloucester ; Lieut .-Col . F . Sewell , Deputy Prov . G . M . Cumberland and Westmorland ; J . G . Podevin , Deputy Prov . G . M . Kent ; R . N . Howard , Deputy Prov . G . M . Dorset ; S . G . Homfray , Deputy Prov . G . M . Monmouth ; VV . Newton , Deputy Prov . G . M . Notts ; Rev . J . Marsden , Deputy Prov . G . M . South VVales ; T . C . Roden , Deputy Prov . G . M . North VVales ; Lieut .-Col . J . Randle Ford , Deputy Prov . G . M . Somerset ; I . L . Thomas , P . G . D . ; and A . Cracknell , G . Stwd .
After the Grand Lodge had been opened , the Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master were saluted , according to ancient custom , and the minutes of the previous half-yearly communication as far as they related to the conferring of the rank of Grand Master and Past Grand Master on the Prince of Wales , were read and confirmed . A deputation was then entrusted to proceed out of the Grand Lodge and conduct the Prince of Wales into the Grand Lodge . This deputation consisted of the Grand Stewards ,
the Grand Director of Ceremonies , the Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies , the Grand Deacons , the Grand Chaplains , the Grand Secretary , the Grand Treasurer , the Grand Wardens , Capt . N . G . Philips , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , the Provincial Grand Masters , and H . R . H . the Dukeof Albany . On the deputation returning , Bro . Beach , M . P ., and Bro . the Rev . Canon Portal bore the cushion and regalia of the Past Grand Master to be worn by the Prince of Wales , while the Prince walked between the Duke of Albany and Lord Limerick . The Grand Organist , Bro . E . M .
Lott , during the procession played the National Anthem , and the entrance of the procession was the signal for a loud burst of applause . The Duke of Albany presented the Prince of Wales to the Grand Master . Lord HENNIKER said : May it please your Royal Highness , it gives me very great pleasure to be able , as Grand Master , in the name of all the Mark Master Masons of England , to welcome you most heartily and warmly into our Grand Lodge . ( Applause . ) I think , sir , that the reception you
met with when you entered Grand Lodge this evening justifies me in saying what I have said , that we heartily welcome you ; and it would be idle , sir , for me to make a long address to you on an occasion of this kind—you who are so well versed in everything connected with Freemasonry . But perhaps , sir , I may be allowed to say a very few words before I invest you . We confratulate ourselves , sir , on the fact that you have joined our Order . We , now , sir , what many illustrious members of your family have done in the past for Freemasonry , and we all know what you yourself are doing now , and
another member of the Royal House of England . ( Applause . ) We know this also , we know the value of the fact in itself of your joining our Order ; but we know more than this , we know that in everything you do forthegood of your countrymen , for the good of your brethren in Freemasonry , and for the good of this country , you do not do by halves , but you do it with all your might , and we think we may safely look with confidence that we shall have your aid to promote the best interests of this Order . ( Applause . ) Sir , we have gladly taken this opportunity of again showing our loyalty to the Crown of England —( loud applause)—and we also gladly take this opportu-
The Prince Of Wales And The Mark Degree.
nity of showing our high respect and great regard for your Royal Highness . ( Applause . ) We are very glad , sir , that you have accepted the compliment that we have ventured to offer to you , the compliment which was unanimously voted at the beginning of this week by Grand Lodge—the compliment of being Most Worshipful Past Grand Master of our Order , and that your name shall be placed at the head of the list of those who have occupied the throne on
which I now sit . ( Applause . ) I can assure you , sir , that this compliment is no empty one ; for those who have occupied this throne before myself are amongst the most distinguished and most earnest Masons of the present day . "" ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) It has been said , sir , too , vcry often , that the sun never sets on the British Empire . I think we may make the same boast on our Mark lodges ; and , sir , it is not in the name of this Grand
Lodge of England alone—of English Mark Masons—but it is in the name of Mark Masons throughout the world , that we have ventured to confer on your Royal Highness the highest honour that it is in our power to give . ( Applause . ) Before I conclude , I would say one word for myself . I will give place to no Grand Master that has gone before me in my desire to do all 1 can for Mark Masonry —( cheers)—and , sir , in the three happy years that have passed while I have ruled over this Order , I never thought 1
should be able to look back with the satisfaction I do now to this event , which is one I am most proud of during my term of ofiice of Master Mason —the having had the honour of welcoming you to Grand Lodge . ( Cheers . ) Sir , we know that you have many engagements and many calls upon your time ; but we hope that we may sometimes see you with us —( applause)—and you may be sure that when you do visit us you will receive always a hearty and a loyal welcome . ( Cheers . )
The Prince of Wales thereupon went through the ceremony necessary before being placed on the Throne of a Ruler in the Craft , and having been clothed with the badge of his office , he was duly installed amidst loud cheers , Lord Henniker standing on his immediate left , with the Duke of Albany next . His Royal Highness having been proclaimed by the Grand Dirctor of Ceremonies , was saluted in Mark form .
The Prince of WALES then rose and said : Brethren , I beg to return my warmest thanks to our Bro . Lord Henniker , our Most Worshipful Grand Master , and to you all , for the high honour and privilege you have conferred on me in making me a Past Grand Master of Mark Master Masons . It is a high compliment I assure you to have received this degree ; it is now , I think , almost the last that I have received since I entered the Craft , and I
look upon it as by no means the least . ( Loud applause . ) the interest in the Craft , brethren , which I hope you will give me credit for having evinced ever since . I have been a member of the Craft , will , I assure you , not diminish . 1 only regret that , through the manifold duties whicii in the course of the year it falls to my lot to perform , I have not had time , unfortunately , to devote as much as I could wish to the interests of Freemasonry .
( Hear , hear . ) But , brethren , you may be assured that I have your interests at heart , and as long as I live you may be convinced that I shall do all I can to uphold our ancient and honourable Order . ( Cheers . ) As long , brethren , as Freemasonry remains as it is now—an Order and an institution of charity and of usefulness—it will flourish as long as the world exists . ( Hear , hear . ) Let us hope that the time will never come when we may in
any way be biassed by politics . ( Hear , hear . ) Above all , brethren , let us remember that we must as a charitable body be religious . ( Cheers . ) As long as religion remains engrafted in the hearts of the Craft of our country it is certain to flourish —( cheers )—and be assured of it , brethren , that when religion in it ceases the Craft will also lose its power and stability . (
App lause . ) I will not detain you longer , brethren , as I know many of you have travelled long distances and wish to return ; but I must thank you once more for the high compliment paid to me to-day , and assure you of the pride I feel in having taken the chair of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons . ( Applause . ) I will now call upon Bro . Lord Henniker to take the
chair . Lord HENNIKER then resumed the chair , and closed the Grand Lodge in
the usual form . The Royal party were loudly cheered as they left the hall . A grand banquet was afterwards partaken of at the Holborn Restaurant , after which the usual Mark Masonic toasts werc proposed . At the conclusion of the banquet , the usual list of Mark Masonic toasts was proposed by the chairman , Bro . A . M . Broadley , Past District Grand Master of the Mediterranean , and were received with great cordiality by the
company . The CHAIRMAN gave first " The Health of the Queen and thc success of Mark Masonry . " He next proposed " The Health of the Most Worshipful Grand Mark Master , Lord Henniker . " In proposing the tonst of " The Most Worshipful Past Grand Masters , " the Chairman said he thought they must go through the toast which came next upon the list , and which was one of solemnity . The first upon the list was his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales .
He thought the adhesion of his Royal Highness to theirbody was an event which was second to none which had occurred in the quarter of a century that this Grand Lodge had existed . The adhesion of his Royal Hi g hness meant a good deal . Before his Royal Highness joined , the certificates issued exceeded 180 , 000 ; but the admission of the Grand Master would , he was sure , give an additional impetus to Mark Masonry in every part of the world . His Royal Highness had not joined them with any idea of merging Mark
Masonry with Craft Masonry , which they knew must ever be a perfectly independent corporation . He could imagine what a satisfaction this day ' s work must be to those who had borne the burden and heat of the day . He thought Bro . Binckes , who a quarter of a century ago associated himself with Mark Grand Lodge , must experience a rare satisfaction when he looked back through the vista of those five and twenty years , and saw his brightest wishes realised in seeing the Prince of Wales take the position of Senior Past Grand Master of Mark Masons .
The CHAIRMAN , in proposing the fourth toast , said that it was one which was not less important than that which preceded it—it was " The Health of the R . W . Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Kintore , and the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " If , as he had said before , the Past Grand Masters of the Order had contributed to the well-being of Mark Masonry , he did not think they could have achieved what they had done if it had not been for the hearty co-operation of the Deputv Grand Master and the Grand Officers ; and
while they were congratulating themselves on the success they had had , they must not forget the services they had received from the officers of the Grand Lodge . He did not think he need say anything more , because if the Grand Officers had not aided the Grand Masters in the way they had done they would not now be as a body in the proud position in which they now found themselves . He thought it would be invidious to name any one in particular ; but he should do injustice to himself if he did not say one word in respect to the exertions of their veteran Grand Secretary , Bro . Binckes . They all
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Prince Of Wales And The Mark Degree.
THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE MARK DEGREE .
CONFERRING ON H . R . H . THE RANKS OF M . W . GRAND AND M . W . PAST GRAND MASTER .
His Royal Hig hness the Prince of Wales having appointed last Saturday as a convenient dav for receiving the rank of Grand Mark Master and Past Grand Mark Mas ' ter , Bro . Lord Henniker , M . W . Grand Master , called a Special Grand Lodge for that purpose , at three o ' clock . Long , however , before that hour , a large concourse of Mark Masons had assembled in the great hall of Freemasons' Tavern , to do honour to the Head of English Freemasons . It was nearly half-past three before the Grand Lodge was opened ,
and at that time there could not have been less than 500 brethren present . Lord Henniker , the Grand Master , entered the hall with his officers , who were under the direction of Bro . Robert Berridge , the Grand Director of Ceremonies . When Lord Henniker took his seal on the throne , he was supported on his righl by Bro . the Earl of Kintore , Deputy Grand
Mark Master , and on his left by H . R . H . the Duke of Albany , Past Grand Master . Bro . General Browning , C . B ., acted as Grand Senior Warden , and the Hon . Major Henniker , the Grand Junior Warden of the year , took the seat of Grand Junior Warden . In addition to the distinguished brethren already mentioned , the following Present and Past Grand Officers were in attendance :
M . W . Bros . Rev . Canon Portal and VV . VV . B . Beach , M . P ., P . G . M . M . Ms . ; R . W . Bros . T . Trollope , M . D ., Prov . G . M . Sussex ; Rev . W . M . Heath , Prov . G . M . Dorset ; W . Kelly , F . S . A ., Prov . G . M . Leicester ; Major J . VV . Woodall , Prov . G . M . N . and E . Yorks ; VV . A . F . Powell , J . P ., Prov- G . M . Bristol ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , Prov . G . M . Bucks . ; R . C . Else , J . P ., Prov . G . M . Somerset ; Major A . VV . O . baunders , Past G . M . Madras ; Capt . C . Hunter , Prov . G . M . North VVales ; A . M . Broadley , Past D . G . M . of the Mediterranean ; Percy Leith , P . P . G . M . Bombay ; Capt . N . G . Lord Arthur Hill
Philips , G . J . W . ; P . F . Halsey , M . F ., , Hon . W . P . Urde Powletr , G . F . Matier , and Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . Ws . ; V . W . Bros . H . R . Hatherly , G . M . O . ; Col . C . E . Bignold , G . S . O . ; S . G . Kirchoffer , G . J . O .: Capt . A . B . Cook , Magnus Ohren , J . E . Le Feuvre , W . Roebuck , R . Eve , E . C . Mather , T . Cubitt , J . T . Tweedale , O . H . Pearson , R . J . Mure , Col . J . C . Hay , and J . Stevens , P . G . Os . ; Rev . F . J . C . de Crespigny , G . Chap . ; Revs . W . Stainton Moses . VV . Randall , H . I . Hatch , C . 1 . Martyn , and A . W . Hall , P . G . Chaps . ;
Frederic Davison , G . Treas . ; H . C . Levander , M . A ., G . Reg . ; R . W . Bro . Frederick Binckes , P . G . W ., G . Sec ; V . W . Bro . D . M . Dewar , P . G . M . O ., A . G . Sec . ; W . Bro ** . A . F . Dodson , Prov . D . G . M . Warwick ; C . Stephens , Prov . D . G . M . Berks and Oxon ; Col . J . R . Bramble , Prov . D . G . M . Bristol ; T . Y . Strachan , Prov . D . G . M . Northumberland and Durham ; VV . Hickman , J . P ., Prov . D . G . M . Hants and I . of VV . ; Geo . B . Brodie , M . D ., and Geo . Cooper , G . S . Ds . ; T . J . Rolling and R . Harwood , G . J . D . ; S . Mattison , T . J . Pulley , Captain T . Hargreaves , F . VV . Ramsey ,
M . D ., 0 . S . Lane , G . Lambert , G . J . McKay , and A . Williams , P . G . Ds . ; R . W . Edis , G . l . of Wks .-, H . Lovegrove . C . H . Driver , and R . B . Wilson , P . G . Is . of Wks . S . Rosenthal , 'P . G . D . of C ; C . Lacey , P . G . A . D . of C . ; Controller S . G . Bake , G . 'Swd . Br . ; G . W . Verry , and T . C . Walls , P . G . Swd . Brs . ; W . Watkins and J . D . Murray , G . Std . Brs . ; C . T . Sparks , P . G . Std . Br . ; E . M . Lott , P . G . Org ., as G . Org . ; W . Ganz and VV . Belcher , P . G . Orgs . ; J . H . Banks , G . I . G . ; C . Pullman , P . G . I . G . ; P . lor Marsh Cumberland
Wallis , W . March , G . Ker , H . Faija , I " . Tay , I . G . , J . S . , C . Davies , and VV . C . Gilles , G . Stwds . ; J . Barker , T . J . Armstrong , W . J . Meek , T . W . Murley , H . Massey , M . Mildred , J . H . Wynne , C . W . Duke , F . W . Roch , Major P . Dunbar , H . J . Lardner , R . P . Spice , C . E . Soppett , VV . Stephens , J . E . Anderson , E . Gilbert , R . L . Loveland , VV . H . Gimingham , J . S . Cumberland , and J . Manwaring , P . G . Stewards ; and a large number of present and past Provincial Grand Officers and other brethren .
Apologies for non-attendance were received from M . W . Bros . Right Hon . Lord Leigh , Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , Right Hon . Lord Holmesdale , Right Hon . Earl Percy , and Right Hon . Earl of Lathom , M . W . P . G . M . Ms . ; R . W . Bros . Lieut .-Col . J . Tanner Davy , Prov . G . M . Devon ; Right Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton , Prov . G . M . Cheshire ; Rev . T . Robinson , Prov . G . M . Kent ; Rev . C . R . Davy , Prov . G . M . Gloucester ; J . Watson , Prov . G . M . Notts ; J . Sutcliffe , Prov . G . M . Lincolnshire ; Right Hon . Earl of Bective , Prov . G . M . Cumberland and
Westmorland ; Lieut .-Col . Foster Gough , LL . D ., Prov . G . M . Staffordshire ; W . J . Hughan , P . G . W . ; Dr . Hopkins , P . G . W . ; G . P . Brockbank , P . G . W . ; V . W . Bro . T . B . Whytehead , P . G . Overseer ; W . Bros . John Walker , Deputy Prov . G . M . Gloucester ; Lieut .-Col . F . Sewell , Deputy Prov . G . M . Cumberland and Westmorland ; J . G . Podevin , Deputy Prov . G . M . Kent ; R . N . Howard , Deputy Prov . G . M . Dorset ; S . G . Homfray , Deputy Prov . G . M . Monmouth ; VV . Newton , Deputy Prov . G . M . Notts ; Rev . J . Marsden , Deputy Prov . G . M . South VVales ; T . C . Roden , Deputy Prov . G . M . North VVales ; Lieut .-Col . J . Randle Ford , Deputy Prov . G . M . Somerset ; I . L . Thomas , P . G . D . ; and A . Cracknell , G . Stwd .
After the Grand Lodge had been opened , the Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master were saluted , according to ancient custom , and the minutes of the previous half-yearly communication as far as they related to the conferring of the rank of Grand Master and Past Grand Master on the Prince of Wales , were read and confirmed . A deputation was then entrusted to proceed out of the Grand Lodge and conduct the Prince of Wales into the Grand Lodge . This deputation consisted of the Grand Stewards ,
the Grand Director of Ceremonies , the Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies , the Grand Deacons , the Grand Chaplains , the Grand Secretary , the Grand Treasurer , the Grand Wardens , Capt . N . G . Philips , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , the Provincial Grand Masters , and H . R . H . the Dukeof Albany . On the deputation returning , Bro . Beach , M . P ., and Bro . the Rev . Canon Portal bore the cushion and regalia of the Past Grand Master to be worn by the Prince of Wales , while the Prince walked between the Duke of Albany and Lord Limerick . The Grand Organist , Bro . E . M .
Lott , during the procession played the National Anthem , and the entrance of the procession was the signal for a loud burst of applause . The Duke of Albany presented the Prince of Wales to the Grand Master . Lord HENNIKER said : May it please your Royal Highness , it gives me very great pleasure to be able , as Grand Master , in the name of all the Mark Master Masons of England , to welcome you most heartily and warmly into our Grand Lodge . ( Applause . ) I think , sir , that the reception you
met with when you entered Grand Lodge this evening justifies me in saying what I have said , that we heartily welcome you ; and it would be idle , sir , for me to make a long address to you on an occasion of this kind—you who are so well versed in everything connected with Freemasonry . But perhaps , sir , I may be allowed to say a very few words before I invest you . We confratulate ourselves , sir , on the fact that you have joined our Order . We , now , sir , what many illustrious members of your family have done in the past for Freemasonry , and we all know what you yourself are doing now , and
another member of the Royal House of England . ( Applause . ) We know this also , we know the value of the fact in itself of your joining our Order ; but we know more than this , we know that in everything you do forthegood of your countrymen , for the good of your brethren in Freemasonry , and for the good of this country , you do not do by halves , but you do it with all your might , and we think we may safely look with confidence that we shall have your aid to promote the best interests of this Order . ( Applause . ) Sir , we have gladly taken this opportunity of again showing our loyalty to the Crown of England —( loud applause)—and we also gladly take this opportu-
The Prince Of Wales And The Mark Degree.
nity of showing our high respect and great regard for your Royal Highness . ( Applause . ) We are very glad , sir , that you have accepted the compliment that we have ventured to offer to you , the compliment which was unanimously voted at the beginning of this week by Grand Lodge—the compliment of being Most Worshipful Past Grand Master of our Order , and that your name shall be placed at the head of the list of those who have occupied the throne on
which I now sit . ( Applause . ) I can assure you , sir , that this compliment is no empty one ; for those who have occupied this throne before myself are amongst the most distinguished and most earnest Masons of the present day . "" ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) It has been said , sir , too , vcry often , that the sun never sets on the British Empire . I think we may make the same boast on our Mark lodges ; and , sir , it is not in the name of this Grand
Lodge of England alone—of English Mark Masons—but it is in the name of Mark Masons throughout the world , that we have ventured to confer on your Royal Highness the highest honour that it is in our power to give . ( Applause . ) Before I conclude , I would say one word for myself . I will give place to no Grand Master that has gone before me in my desire to do all 1 can for Mark Masonry —( cheers)—and , sir , in the three happy years that have passed while I have ruled over this Order , I never thought 1
should be able to look back with the satisfaction I do now to this event , which is one I am most proud of during my term of ofiice of Master Mason —the having had the honour of welcoming you to Grand Lodge . ( Cheers . ) Sir , we know that you have many engagements and many calls upon your time ; but we hope that we may sometimes see you with us —( applause)—and you may be sure that when you do visit us you will receive always a hearty and a loyal welcome . ( Cheers . )
The Prince of Wales thereupon went through the ceremony necessary before being placed on the Throne of a Ruler in the Craft , and having been clothed with the badge of his office , he was duly installed amidst loud cheers , Lord Henniker standing on his immediate left , with the Duke of Albany next . His Royal Highness having been proclaimed by the Grand Dirctor of Ceremonies , was saluted in Mark form .
The Prince of WALES then rose and said : Brethren , I beg to return my warmest thanks to our Bro . Lord Henniker , our Most Worshipful Grand Master , and to you all , for the high honour and privilege you have conferred on me in making me a Past Grand Master of Mark Master Masons . It is a high compliment I assure you to have received this degree ; it is now , I think , almost the last that I have received since I entered the Craft , and I
look upon it as by no means the least . ( Loud applause . ) the interest in the Craft , brethren , which I hope you will give me credit for having evinced ever since . I have been a member of the Craft , will , I assure you , not diminish . 1 only regret that , through the manifold duties whicii in the course of the year it falls to my lot to perform , I have not had time , unfortunately , to devote as much as I could wish to the interests of Freemasonry .
( Hear , hear . ) But , brethren , you may be assured that I have your interests at heart , and as long as I live you may be convinced that I shall do all I can to uphold our ancient and honourable Order . ( Cheers . ) As long , brethren , as Freemasonry remains as it is now—an Order and an institution of charity and of usefulness—it will flourish as long as the world exists . ( Hear , hear . ) Let us hope that the time will never come when we may in
any way be biassed by politics . ( Hear , hear . ) Above all , brethren , let us remember that we must as a charitable body be religious . ( Cheers . ) As long as religion remains engrafted in the hearts of the Craft of our country it is certain to flourish —( cheers )—and be assured of it , brethren , that when religion in it ceases the Craft will also lose its power and stability . (
App lause . ) I will not detain you longer , brethren , as I know many of you have travelled long distances and wish to return ; but I must thank you once more for the high compliment paid to me to-day , and assure you of the pride I feel in having taken the chair of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons . ( Applause . ) I will now call upon Bro . Lord Henniker to take the
chair . Lord HENNIKER then resumed the chair , and closed the Grand Lodge in
the usual form . The Royal party were loudly cheered as they left the hall . A grand banquet was afterwards partaken of at the Holborn Restaurant , after which the usual Mark Masonic toasts werc proposed . At the conclusion of the banquet , the usual list of Mark Masonic toasts was proposed by the chairman , Bro . A . M . Broadley , Past District Grand Master of the Mediterranean , and were received with great cordiality by the
company . The CHAIRMAN gave first " The Health of the Queen and thc success of Mark Masonry . " He next proposed " The Health of the Most Worshipful Grand Mark Master , Lord Henniker . " In proposing the tonst of " The Most Worshipful Past Grand Masters , " the Chairman said he thought they must go through the toast which came next upon the list , and which was one of solemnity . The first upon the list was his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales .
He thought the adhesion of his Royal Highness to theirbody was an event which was second to none which had occurred in the quarter of a century that this Grand Lodge had existed . The adhesion of his Royal Hi g hness meant a good deal . Before his Royal Highness joined , the certificates issued exceeded 180 , 000 ; but the admission of the Grand Master would , he was sure , give an additional impetus to Mark Masonry in every part of the world . His Royal Highness had not joined them with any idea of merging Mark
Masonry with Craft Masonry , which they knew must ever be a perfectly independent corporation . He could imagine what a satisfaction this day ' s work must be to those who had borne the burden and heat of the day . He thought Bro . Binckes , who a quarter of a century ago associated himself with Mark Grand Lodge , must experience a rare satisfaction when he looked back through the vista of those five and twenty years , and saw his brightest wishes realised in seeing the Prince of Wales take the position of Senior Past Grand Master of Mark Masons .
The CHAIRMAN , in proposing the fourth toast , said that it was one which was not less important than that which preceded it—it was " The Health of the R . W . Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Kintore , and the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " If , as he had said before , the Past Grand Masters of the Order had contributed to the well-being of Mark Masonry , he did not think they could have achieved what they had done if it had not been for the hearty co-operation of the Deputv Grand Master and the Grand Officers ; and
while they were congratulating themselves on the success they had had , they must not forget the services they had received from the officers of the Grand Lodge . He did not think he need say anything more , because if the Grand Officers had not aided the Grand Masters in the way they had done they would not now be as a body in the proud position in which they now found themselves . He thought it would be invidious to name any one in particular ; but he should do injustice to himself if he did not say one word in respect to the exertions of their veteran Grand Secretary , Bro . Binckes . They all