The London Masonic Charity Association.

that the London Masonic Charity Association continues its unpretending and useful course despite many party and foolish preposessions and objections assiduously made , though practically

equally unreal and illogical , and will seek at the next election , as it did at the last , to assist the most friendless candidates with good effect , as it cannot understand on what Masonic principle , Masonic orphans , because they have few friends , are to be left out in the cold .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ Wi do not holel ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , tlie opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of lair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

THE MARK DEGREE . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason " Dear Sir and Brother , — I should not have sought to intervene in this discussion , which , like all Masonic discussions , seems only to generate personalities , did I not feel that silence might be construed as indicative both of weakness of a cause and

absence of facts of history . I am not concerned with Bro . Bedolfc ' s line of argument , it is his own and not mine , and I am only responsible for . what I say myself . But I cannot concur with Bro . Lamonby historically , in any sense whatever . There is no analogy in the least , in my humble opinion , as between the antiquity of the Craft , or even of the Royal Arch , and the present system of

Mark Masonry . For while " indicia : " abound of the antiquity of Cralt Masonry , the Mark Degree , as at present constituted anil worked , is most purely modern . That a Mark ceremonial existed towards the end of the last century I freely concede , but it is doubiful even , if that is in any sense the present system . The Mark system dots not take its name from " Mason Marks , " but from

" St . Mark , " to whom Mark loelges were originally dedicated , something like the St . Lawrence Association and others . It is no doubt true that the old operative Masons used Marks , but I have never been able to trace , ( much as I have tried to do so ) , any connexion between the present Mark system and the old operative Marks . At the same time , the olel " St . Mark lodges" may have been an

affiliated Masonic guild , who preserved a system of "Mark Masonry , " properly so called . In the Scottish lodges all " Fallows of Craft " seem to have had a " Mark , " and I do not think it worth while to doubt that the Mark system may perpetuate the memory of the old usage , though it may be a fair question how far Mark Masonry , as it is called , really upholds the old teaching . It is a point , however ,

in the discussion , not to be lost sight of , that many of the old Mark lodges may be traced back to the end of last century . Bro . Lamonby ' s views as to Craft and Royal Arch Masonry might easily be proved to be erroneous historically , if time and space permitted , but 1 do not

fancy he is very much in earnest about them , and only uses them as " side issues , " and on the " tu quoque , " and " ad hominem" principles . Historically , as I feel sure our Bro . Hughan will agree with me , the present system of Mark Masonry must be pronounced absolutely modern . I am , yours fraternally , MASONIC STUDENT .

THE MARK DEGREE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — If Bro . Bedolfe will persist in gratifying his " Cacoethes Scribendi" and dilate upon subjects foreign to

his understanding , wherein he docs not hesitate to ascribe to those whose opinions differ from his own , " a want of common sense and truth , " he must be prepared to find that there are those who—although they may not bc blessed with truth and common sense to the sublime extent as himself (?)—are yet " truthful and honest" in their

convictions . I regret that any remark of mine should for one moment have disturbed the placid disposition of my worthy brother , but I fear that his own personalities must be held in a great measure responsible for anything which to him may bear that appearance . Bro . Bedolfe questions my " right to mingle in a

discussion unless I seriously enter into the same . " It would be well he should bear in mind that the Press like Masonry is " free " and is open not only to discussisn ( which by the bye should be wholesome and voiel of acerbity ) but also to the criticism of a discussion , and this Hro . Bedolfe must be prepared to meit , particularly when endeavouring to raise a discussion he rcsoits to hunting up ancient matter , and

'hen stoops to charge the expressions of an honest brother with " want of truth , common sense and bad grammar ;" but Bro . Bedolfe appears to think the " worldof Freemasonry his own , " and that his opinions , upon a matter of which he pleads entire ignorance , alone should prevail , and most erroneous and presumptuous indeed are those who differ from him . I should be very sorry to argue the point which

Bro . Bedolfe seems desirous to raise with a person of so little iquanimity of temper , yet I feel it a duty when 1 see Bro . Bedolfe snecringly ridicule a Masonic Degree of which Heel proud to be a number , to throw back those sneers and ridicule , and ask him how it is that as he would not be such a traitor" to the Craft in joining the Mark Degree , he yet

nas the gross indiscretion ( I was about to say effrontery ) of disobeying the commands of our M . W . Grand Master , "y fraternizing with the Grand Orient of France . Such conduct appears to me to be very questionable , to say the 'east of it , and , again , as to the word " waiter , " applied , ° i course , not only to myself , but to thousands of honest

Original Correspondence.

Craft Masons , I urge it is meet that Bro . Bedolfe should modify that expression , as I consider by using it even as an inuendo , it is both unmasonic and unmanly , but as I feel it scarcely likely Bro . Bede . lfe will eschew his respectful expression , I will be the first to give him the hand of fellowship in remitting to you , dear sir , a cheque for ten guineas for one of the Masonic Institutions , on the behalf of the

" Mark Degree , " if Bro . Bcelolfe will do the same on the part of the Craft . I deem this much moie sensible ihan impassioned arguments upon unknown matters , and I am sure there appears room in the Subscriber ' s List , for the names of those which would add lustre to the roll ; rank and title is , no doubt , great , but true Masonic charity is greater .

Bro . Bedolfe ' s explanation of the Second Degree is as meagre and wanting as the Degree itself , and to his appeal to brethren to " stuely its simplicity " I , as one of his brethren , and who takes , perhaps , as equal an interest in Craft Masonry aud its ancient landmarks as himself , beg to say that I fail to find a " basis for a study . " Simplicity requires little study .

I will leave it to Grand Lodge to decide as to whether by joining the Mark Degree I am a traitor to the Craft , to whom Bio . Bedolfe should appeal for my expulsion , and as a concluding rcmaik , I will simply add , that I hope never to bc such a traitor to English Craft Masonry as to so far forget myself in visiting and prying into the lodges of the Grand Orient in direct disobedience ofthe M . W . G . M . ' s

commands , and against my own conscience in particular I am , dear Sir , yours in faith and fraternally , ECCE SIGNUM .

THE SCOTTISH RITE IN FRANCE . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — As I am in the habit of attending the meetings of a French loilge belonging to the fcottish Rite , will you kindly inform mc if its members would bc admitted in English lodges ? Since the necessary ruptuie between the

Grand Lodge and the Grand Orient of trance , I naturally asked the members of the lodge 1 attend whether they held themselves in obedience to the Grand Orient . Their reply was , that they had nothing at all to do with it . But as I know that the lodge admits and initiates Free-thinkers , & c , and also allows " la liberie absdue de conscience , " I cannot see any difference between them and the Grand

Orient , i . e ., in principles . It will be a great pleasure to mc if , through you or any of your readers , I may be able to state on official authority that tiue Masonry requires a belief in God , that the words "Great Architect of the Universe " signify God only , and not any " etre supreme " that each candidate here forms according

to his own ideas . It is continually asserted here that Masonry is universal , and lhat , therefore , it is unreasonable to admit only those who believe in God . I stand almost alone regarding these matters and I seek good authority to affirm what I , as an English Mason , have so often asserted to be the vital principles of Freemasonry . 1 am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally ,

B . DE M . DOWSON , Late Member of the Westminster and Keystone , No . io Cannes , S , France .

AN APPEAL . To the Editor if the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Allow mc once again to call your attention to a few facts on behalf of the London candidates for the Boys ' and Giils' Schools , whom the London Masonic Charity Association are endeavouring to rescue from being

periodically left out in the cold . I venture to call upon our London brethren in particular , and Masonic brethren in general , to assist the cf foils of our much needed organisation . I may state our Association is collected foituitously from the different lodges scattered over the metropolis j in many cases perfect strangers to one another , until banded together , on recognising the urgent necessity of preventing

our elections becoming mere matters of personal friendship and inelividual interest . To these brethren thus diversely met , at the 'expenditure of considerable time , trouble , and money , whose only hope of reward is the knowledge of endeavouring , if not succeeding , to help the poor and needy , the fatherless and widow , to this body , I say , let the votes of the London brethren be intrusted , rather

than to any individual , however good and excellent , for , in the former case , there should be something of " wisdom in a multitude of councillors , " whereas , in the latter case , one of our opponents' great objections to us , the loss of individuality , is doubled by being swallowed up in another individual . If these few words , the essence of the thoughts of one whose sole aim and object is to act on the

square to one and all without distinction , shall have brought any brother to carefully consider the privilege he has obtained for himself ; and the light way , even if he does not join our Association , of using the power which that privilege obtains , I shall bc well repaid for any trouble I may have taken in the matter . I would earnestly recall to the minds of your readers the distressing cases of the

boys Watkins and Green at the October election , with their last chance of succeeding , who were unsuccessful , and left out to starve in the cold -, the foimer is certainly the most distressing case—one of nine left on a penniless mother for support—has now no resource but a parochial school , and may bc pronounced literally friendless . The other case of Green , though only one of five children , there

is in this family a paralyzed father , utterly unable to work for his living , now existing on the last two or three hundred pounds of his capital . Yet such distressing cases as these aie allowed , for the want of a little thought or care , to go to the wall for the sake cf others on the first , out of several possible applications ; and others , again , who are really not the objects for which these Institutions

Original Correspondence.

were intended . If this is to continue to be the case , tha provinces and individuals , for the mere sake of the glory of saying " I never take up a case but what I am sure to succeed , if not the first the second time ; " or , " I never have to apply a second time , " I would ask , in all fraternal feeling , whether it is fair , Masonic , or equitable , to Sacrifice even one candidate on the altar of their

selfesteem when both candidates could be equally benefited by a right use of the voter ' s power . I once more call the attention of the London brethren to the next April election , and to the fact that there will be three Lont ' on Candidates " in periculo mortis , " at their last gasp , and that if they wish London not to be disgiaced in her own eyes , as well as those of the provinces , they will save these from perishing , not necessarily at the head of the poll , but within the

limited number . The names are Frost with ten votes , Giles with three , and Nicholls with 1013 votes , to bring forward Brethren , let it not be said , as at the last election , that London , with three candidates on their last legs , was only able to save one . I trust that I have said nothing offensive to any one ; it has not been the intention of Yours fraternally , C . J . PERCEVAL . Treasurer L . M . C . A .

Consecration Of The Kirkdale Lodge, No. 1756.

CONSECRATION OF THE KIRKDALE LODGE , No . 1756 .

There was an exceedingly large gatheiing of the Masonic fraternity at the Skelmersdale Hall , Kirkdale , Liverpool , on Friday week , the Sth inst ., when the Kirkdale Lodge . No . 1 j 56 , was duly and solemnly consecrated , according to the impiessive rites of our Order . Considerable disappointment was felt by the brethren at

the inability of Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , Dep . G . M . of England , and P . G . M . of West Lancashire , to be present and perform the consecrating ceremony , but a severe cold caught in tlie course of his journey to London for Masonic purposes on the pievious day rendered it impossible for his lordship to leave Lathom House . A telegram of apology for non-attendance was received by Bro . H . S . Alpass , P . G . Secretary , who , at very short notice , took the place of Consecrating Officer , and performed his important duties in a

manner which elicited universal admiration . The proceedings were announced to begin at two o ' clock , and shortly after that hour there were about 100 brethren present , these including Bros . H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec , aciing as Consecrating Officer ; the Rev . J . Rees Jenkins , P . G . Chaplain , acting as P . M . ; H . R . Robertson , P . G . J . W ., as S . W . ; J . T . Callow , P . G . Treasurer , as J . W . ;

G . Broaelbridge , P . P . G . D . C , acting as P . G . Secretary ; S . E . Ibbs , P . P . G . S . B ., as I . G . ; J . Wells , P . G . D . C . as M . C . j J . R . Goepel , P . P . G . D . C , as Assistant M . C . ; E . B . Harding , P . P . G . S . D . ; R . C . Mellor , P . P . G . J . D . ( N . W . and Salop ); H . Williams , P . G S . ; J . Hayes , P . G . S . ; J . Wainwright , P . G . A . D . C . ; J . E . Jackson , P . G . S . of W . ; J . Lunt , P . P . G . D . C ; J . Peters , P . P . G . S . W . ( N . W . and

Salop ) ; D . W . Finney , P . G . S . ; J . P . McArlhur , P . M . 1086 ; G . J . Townsend , W . M . 1086 ; J . R . Ross , S . D . 128 9 ; S . Johnson , 249 ; J . R . Japha , S . D . 203 ; R . E . Mitton , 135 6 ; James Ellis , P . M . 1086 ; J . Bromley , P . M . 203 ; G . Sculthorpe , P . M . 1015 -, T . J . Moitleman , S . D . 1473 ; C . Birch , J . W . 203 ; T . W . Rudd , Org . 1299 ; J . Jones , P . M . 216 ; T . Hatton , J . D . 203 ; W . Whittaker , 203 ; E . H . Knoyls ,

613 ; E . Johnston ( W . M . designate of the new lodge ) , P . M . 203 ; J . P . Bryan , 1035 ; A . Morrison , W . M . 1570 ; J . Ashley , 135 6 1 an ( l 1609 ; A . Mc-Dougall , 203 ; D . Saunders , 1609 ; J . B . Mackenzie , S . W . 1609 ; J . S . Beauford , S . W . 32 ; W . H . Ball , P . G . A . Tyler ; W . Scphton , P . M . 1086 ; Thomas Evans , P . M . 1570 and 135 6 ; S . Bushell , 667 ; H . Gribbon , 1356 ;

R . P . Gill , S . W . 216 ; J . Blake , C . 216 ; John Latta , J . D . 241 ; T . Clark , P . M . and Treasurer 673 ; A . Woolrich , S . W . 135 6 ; Dr . D . Costine , J . W . 216 ; J . Queen , 667 ; P . Armstrong 724 ; E . McCabe , Sec . 203 ; G . E . Hanmer , P . M . 1086 ; J . T . Alston , S . W . 203 ; G . S . Willings , P . M . 667 ; T . W . Serjeant , P . M . 203 ; T . Armstrong , P . M . 203 ; T . Home , P . M . 11 , 36 ; E . Paull , Treas . 135 6 ; J . Keet ,

Sec . 135 6 ; S . Wylde , P . M . 1403 ; J . Baxendale , P . P . G . S . of W . ; J . W . Williams , W . M . 135 6 ; II . Ashmore , W . M . 823 ; P . Neill , P . M . 203 ; B . W . Rawson , P . P . G . S . of W . ; H . " James , P . M . 203 ; J . Winsor , 241 ; Dr . T . Young , 1473 ; and others . After the lodge had been opened in the Three established Degrees , Bro . Alpass , the Presiding Officer , gave an

admirable and thoroughly practical address to the brethren of the new lodge , strongly urging them to work in harmony with the other lodges which meet in th ; 1 building ; gave them sound advice as to the admission of joining members , and strongly insisted upon the necessity and desirability of exercising that virtue which must bc denominated the distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason ' s

heartcharity , both towards those benevolent institutions cf the fraternity which existed in London , as well as nearer our own doors . The P . G . C . having offered solemn prayer , the acting P . G . Sec . read the p-. tiiion and warrant cf the new lodge , which is to meet on the fourth Wednesday in each month . The P . G . Chaplain ( Bro . the Rev . J . Jenkins ) , then

delivered the following oration : — Biethren , we arc assembled hcic to-day for the very important work of establishing and consecrating a new centre , whence will be disseminated more widely in this district those principles of love anil charity , which form at once

the foundation and keystone of the Masonic structure , and this duty being about to be intrusted , to some extent , to new hands , guided by brethren of experience in the Craft , it were not amiss , 1 think , if we briefly examined the first principles of our Order , and if 1 were to offer some few words of counsel as to those moral duties , for the discharge