The Forthcoming Edition Of The Irish A Himan Rezon.

unlawful all assemblies of Freemasons in Ireland , under any title whatever , purporting to be Masonic , not held by virtue of a warrant 01 constitution from the Grand Lodge , or from one of the other Masonic Grand Bodies recognised

by , and acting in Masonic union with , it . " Any brother being a member of any lodge on the Registiy of Ireland , or otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge , who shall take any part in such unlawful assembly , or

shall join or become a member ot any body or society purporting to be Masonic , and not in connection with , or sanctioned by , the Grand Lodge , or other Masonic Grand Body recognised by it , shall be liable to suspension or such other penalty as Grand Lodge may think fit . "

The first portion of the rule is identical with one in the existing " Constitutions , " the word "Grand" being introduced between " Masonic" and " bodies , near the end , and "Masonic union with it" substituted

for " unison with it . " The second portion , commencing with "Anybrother , " is entirely new , and appears on the face of it to be an insidious attempt to bring under the power of Grand Lodge matters with which

it has nothing whatever to do , so as to enable it to crush down the " right of private judgment" of individual members who may be disposed to join other organisations elsewhere , outside the jurisdiction of Grand

Lodge . Even if the rule should , unfortunately , pass as it stands , I do not think that G . L . would sanction its application in the manner which its promoters intend , and thus be made an instrument in the hands of

a mere section for neutralizing the equality of its members , and depriving them of rights which Masons elsewhere unrestrictedly enjoy . Bro . Hughan ' s suggestion , that the words " in Ireland" should be added after

" society , " would , I think , obviate the danger ; but I am inclined to hope and to think that Grand Lodge will deal very summarily with the entire clause . Rule 133 will probably give rise to much

discussion , and I rather think G . L . will require more information as to some of the parties to the compact than it at present possesses . The rule provides for the expulsion , suspension , or restoration of any

brother who shall have been expelled , suspended , or restored by any one of the different orders in Ireland , on such suspension , & c , being officiallycommunicated to Grand Lodge , " without any further inquiry or

investigation . In common fairness , any brother suspended or expelled by what are called the "higher orders" should have the right of appeal to G . L ., as he might be punished by such a sentence in them , and

still be clear of such Masonic misconduct as would justify his suspension or expulsion from the rights and benefits of Craft Masonry . In the proposed new rule we meet , I believe for the first time officially ,

with two new Grand Bodies in Masonry , formed apparently by a disruption of some sort in the body until lately known as the " Grand Council of Rites for Ireland . " The existing compact is between the Grand

Lodge , the Grand R . A . Chapter , the Grand Encampment of H . K . T ., and the Grand Council of Rites for Ireland . In the proposed rule the latter body has disappeared . and is replaced by " The Grand Chapter of

Prince Masons of Ireland" and " The Supreme Council of the 33 rd Degree for Ireland . " The Grand Council of Rites consisted of representatives from various degrees from the Rose Croix to the 33

inclusive , and also of " The Order of Misraim . " Any compact existing was made with a body so constituted , and if that body has thought fit to revolutionise its constitution , I do not see how Grand Lodge can be bound to thejnew arrangement without

The Forthcoming Edition Of The Irish A Himan Rezon.

a full discussion and explanation of all the circumstances—more especially as one of the parties named , the S . G . C . 33 ° , is favoured with somewhat notorious antecedents . I

think it would be advisable to suggest that Grand Lodge should appoint a committee to inquire into and report on the origin and claims to authority of the S . G . C . 33 , so as to enable G . L . to determine whether it is

consistent with its dignity and independence to form any compact like that proposed , with a body constituted as the S . G . C . 33 is , and connected with an origin open to such grave objections . I wish it to be distinctly

understood that is not against the present holders of the Degree in Ireland that I express an opinion ; but I would be sorry to see G . L . made a party to a compact

that may hereafter compel it to act unmasonically and harshly , and that may , if carried , be productive of disunion and disruption to the Craft .

I have confined myremarks prettyclosely to Bro . Plughan ' s article ; but there are several laws , to which he has not referred , that will require a good deal of supervision , and probably a good deal of

alteration , before they become confirmed by Grand Lodge . I trust that the members of Grand Lodge here will be in their proper places when the laws come to be discussed , understanding clearly what they are about ,

and fully qualified both to speak and to vote on the various points that are certain to arise . as on the course taken and the laws adopted will greatly depend the future unityand prosperity of the Order in Ireland . AN IRISH H . K . T . Dublin , 4 th September , 1871 .

Consecration Of The Panmure Mark Lodge, No. No.I39.

CONSECRATION OF THE PANMURE MARK LODGE , No . No . I 39 .

The Panmure Mark Lodge , No . 139 , was consecrated and dedicated on Monday last , at the Balham Hotel , Balham , by the V . W . Bro .

Frederick Binckes , G . S . G . L . M . M . Although the weather was uninviting , a good number of brethren attended , and they were rewarded for their trouble by seeing the ceremony performed in masterly style . In the absence of an orator

to deliver an oration , which is usually a part of the proceedings at a consecration , Bro . Binckes delivered an address , which explained what Mark Masonry was , the history of the formation of Giand Mark Lodge , and . the position the

degree now occupied in Freemasonry . Under these three heads , he was enabled to show the brethren that it was impolitic to multiply supreme jurisdictions , and that , with that end in view , Grand Mark Lodge was now taking steps ,

and had been taking steps for some time past , to confer on Mark lodges owning allegiance to it the power of granting other degrees which formed a part of Freemasonry . There being no Chaplain present , Bro . Binckes well supplied his place

by reading , with great impressiveness , the beautiful narrative of the dedication of the Temple ; and after Bros . Stebbing , Piatt , and Stevens had fulfilled their duties with the cornucopia , the wine , and oil , he dedicated and constituted

Panmure Lodge , No . 139 , to Mark Masonry in all time coming . He afterwards installed Bro . James Stevens , P . M . 104 and P . G . O ., W . M . of the lodge for the current year , who , having taken the presidential chair , appointed the following

brethren his officers : John Thomas , P . M . 22 , Prov . G . S . B ., S . W . ; Henry F . Huntley , 104 , J . W . ; Henry F . Hodges , M . O . and Sec . ; R . W . Huntley , S . O . ; George Lilley , J . O . and Treas . : George Neal , R . of M . : H . Payne ,

S . D . ; James Madden , J . D . ; G . T . Smith , I . G . ; T . Lane , Steward ; and Bro . Grant , T . Bros . G . Lilley , W . M . Huntley , G . T . Smith , T . Lane , H . Payne , J . Madden , and T . Allendale had

been previously advanced to this ancient degree in a special lodge held for the purpose by Bro . Stevens . Before the proceedings in lodge were concluded , Bro . Stevens directed the thanks of the lodge to Bro . Binckes , for his able perform-

Consecration Of The Panmure Mark Lodge, No. No.I39.

ance of the consecration ceremony , to be entered on the lodge minutes , and the brethren then elected Bro . Binckes an honorary member of the lodge . For both these compliments Bro . Binckes thanked the brethren , and after a committee had

been nominated to frame the by-laws , a vote of thanks was unanimously passed to the visitors for attending and assisting in the ceremonies of the day . This acknowledgment was responded to by Bro . Hicks , and the lodge was thereupon closed .

A cold collation , which reflected the highest credit upon Bro . Lilley , of the Balham Hotel , followed , and at the removal of the cloth , the toasts were proposed and replied to in regular order .

The W . M ., in giving " The Health of Bro . Portal , M . W . G . M ., " said he was naming one who , for his zeal and ability in the cause of Mark Masonry , had never yet been excelled , and would , perhaps , never be equalled . Under

his auspices this degree had become an important branch of Freemasonry , a position which , it was well known , was mainly due to him . In saying this , he ( the W . M . ) was not attempting to derogate from the value of the efforts of Bro .

Binckes in the same direction ; but , speaking of the G . M . as the head of the Order , it was but fair to say that , under his guidance , Mark Masonry had taken a firm hold , and the Grand Mark Lodge had become a credit to all who

belonged to it . Although they would shortly lose him as Grand Master , it was to be hoped he would long be spared to them , and while he was in the position of the head of Mark Masons , they would pay him that respect which was his

due ; and whenever this toast fell to be given in its accustomed order , they would feel but too happy to have the opportunity of evincing that spirit of thankfulness to him for what he had done , and drink his health with all the warmth of which they were capable . ( Cheers . )

The W . M . next proposed " The Health of Earl Percy , Dep . Grand Master of Mark Masons , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Past and Present , " and , in doing so , said he could but reiterate the expressions he had made use of

when speaking of the Grand Master . Earl Percy was an ornament to the degree , and would most likely be the Grand Master ' s successor . Under the rule of Earl Percy , in all likelihood , the degree would stand quite as high as it had in the

past , and would continue to flourish . The rest of the toast which concerned the Grand Officers was a necessary compliment to pay the brethren who so ably assisted in the development of Mark Masonry ; and more especially was it necessary

at this meeting , because the lodge was honoured with the presence of some distinguished Grand Officers , who might fairly be credited with painstaking and zealous endeavours to promote the interests of the Order . Bro . Stebbing , in

fulfilment of a long-standing promise , had come , and his continued re-election , year after year , to the office of Grand Treasurer , showed the estimation in which he was held in the Order . Bro . Davison , who was also present , was Deputy

Grand Master of the province of Middlesex and Surrey , besides being Grand Organist of the Degree . Bro . Binckes , the Consecrating Officer , was Grand Secretary , and the brethren would be wanting in gratitude to him if they did not

acknowledge his eminent abilities , both as a working Mark Mason and as an indefatigable member of Grand Mark Lodge . ( Applause . ) Bro . J . R . Stebbing , in replying on behalf of all the Grand Officers , said : Worshipful Sir and

brethren , I am vciy much obliged to you for the kind hospitality you have extended to me thisevening , and forthe generous sentiments you have uttered with respect to myself personally . I assure you it has been the greatest possible

gratification to me to be here , and I shall look back to this evening with great interest for many years to come . I hope the lodge will prosper , and have every happiness surrounding it , which is one of the peculiarities of the Grand Mark

Lodge of England and our Mark institutions . With regard to the officers of Grand Mark Lodge , the Grand Masters—Past as well as _ Present Grand Master—have set an example which other Grand Officers might well follow ; and there is