Centenary Festival Of The Percy Lodge, No. 198.

Bro . HILLYARD , I . G ., in response , tendered the W . M . sincere thanks , and the Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings , which were enlivened by a selection of music rendered under the direction of Bro . Delevanti . The following , among others , were present : Bros . Richard Eve , P . G . Treas . ; Edward Terry , P . G . Treas . ; F . A . Philbrick , O . C , G . Reg . ; J . S . Eastes , P . G . D . ; George Cooper , P . G . D . ; Edward Letchworth , P . G . D . ; lames Terry , P . G . S . B . ; W . M . Bywa ' er , P . G . S . B . ; Chas . Belton , P . D . G . D . C . ; Fredk .

Binckes , P . G . S . B . ; W . G . Lemon , A . G . D . C ; J . L . Mather , P . A . G . D . C ; C . F . Matier , P . G . Std . Br . ; W . A . Barrett , G . Org . ; A . A . Pendlebury , Asst . G . Secretary ; Thomas Cubitt , P . G . P . ; W . Wilson , P . G . P . ; Haydon , P . G . Stwd . ; Henry Sadler , G . Tyler ; Sampson Pearce , P . P . G . D . ; George Lambert , W . M . ; Orchard , P . M ., S . VV . ; C . Lambert , I . P . M ., Sec ; Dr . Cowell , P . M ., Treas . ; Holmden , S . D . ; Phillips , J . D . ; J . Read , P . P . G . Org . Middx ., Org . ; Hilliard , I . G . ; VV . Harris , Dodd , Mickley , Raggi , A . H . Scurrah , P . P . G . S . of W . Middx . ; Seth , Arathoon , Josephs , Salmon , Rose , Wm . Lake , P . P . G . Reg . Cornwall ; Joyce-Murray , Glynes , Fox Peacock ,

Diprose , Glenn , M . Davis , S . Hubbard , Wilks , VV . Clark , Gross , Heard , Shipway , R . Tyler , Kempton , Harnell , sen ., Harnell , jun ., Bellerby , P . M . ; Morris , Major Frigout , A . Kay , J . B . Cumming , P . M . ; Capt . T . C Walls , P . P . G . W . Middx . ; Probyn , Canning , Godfrey , Van Joel , Woodruffe , Fowler , Bradley , Bescky , Williams , P . M . ; Chatrian , Webber , George Stagg , ] . Stagg , Maples , Dr . Cross , P . M . ; Lee , P . M . ; Galer , Cohen , P . M . 207 ; Massey , P . M ., P . Z . ; VV . H . Lee , P . P . G . D . Middx . ; Lee , S . VV . 2381 ; Palmer , H . H . Shirley , P . M . ; H . Lovegrove , P . P . G . S . of W . Middx . ; C . J . Shoppee , Cubitt Nicholls , Archer , Browning , Grellier , Herbert Shoppee , Roumieu , Bergmann , Jones , Jackmann , Laxton , Youle , Clout , Edgell , Hirsch , Woodford , and Calver .

Consecration Of The Mount Edgcumbe Mark Lodge, No. 417.

CONSECRATION OF THE MOUNT EDGCUMBE MARK LODGE , No . 417 .

ORATION BY R . W . BRO . W . J . HUGHAN , P . G . W . The consecration and dedication of a new Mark Master Masons' lodge—the Mount Edgcumbe Lodge , No . 417—was celebrated on Thursday , the Sth instant , at the Masonic Hall , Camborne . There were 14 founders , and by them the lodge was opened under the warrant granted . Six candidates were advanced , and became members of the lodge .

The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened by R . W . Bro . Sir Charles B . Graves-Sawle , Bart ., 30 , Prov . G . M . M . of Cornwall , assisted by Bros . W . J . Johns , P . P . J . G . W ., P . G . Sec , D . P . G . M . M . { pro tem . ) ; Major J . J . Ross , 404 , P . S . G . W . ; E . Milford-Milford , P . G . Treas ., P . J . G . W . ( pro tem . ); Rev . J . Core , P . G . Chap . ; W . King Baker , P . P . G . M . O ., P . G . M . O . ( pro tem . ) ; H . P . Vivian , 73 , P . S . G . O . ; F . W . Thomas , 8 7 , P . P . G . O . ; and J . C . Burrow , 8 7 , P . A . G . D . C , P . G . D . C ( pro tem . )

An anthem was sung . The founders of the new lodge were then arranged in order . They were—Bros . F . W . Thomas , J . C . Burrow , H . P . Vivian , R . Rowe , 87 ; W . Vial , 8 7 ; A . Dunkin , 8 7 ; F . J . Lee , J . VVhitworth , 8 7 ; J . W . T . Jackson , R . of M . 87 ; Jno . Adams , 87 , P . G . Std . Br . ; A . J . Tangye , 8 7 ; J . Pendray , 8 7 ; W . Teague 73 ; and James M . Holman , 87 . The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER said there was no occasion for him tc

address the founders on the nature of that meeting , as there was a very excellent oration to be read to them from the pen of Bro . W . J . Hughan , by Bro . Vivian , To Bro . Hughan they were very much indebted for the readiness with which he had applied his great Masonic learning on former occasions to their benefit . They were now further obliged to him on the present occasion , and would have been

much delighted to have had him present with them , but regretted to find that could not be from the state of his health . He ( the P . G . M . ) congratulated them on the rapid progress being made in Mark Masonry in that province and elsewhere . During the time he had occupied his present office he had been privileged to be called upon to consecrate five new Mark lodges in his province .

Bro . H . P . VIVIAN next read this oration , contributed by Bro . W . J . Hughan . It is especially appropriate to consider the most interesting subject of Masons' marks at the consecration of a new Mark lodge , because it is mainly owing to the ever-increasing prosperity of the Mark Degree that so great has been the attention paid to that time immemorial custom . When it first became the usage to employ the marks in stones , in eloquent silence to speak of the Masons who fashioned themcannot now be

, decided ; but beyond question it takes us back to a period long before the Christian era , and centuries prior to the reign of the Royal Solomon . Even in later times the custom was obligatory for Masons assembling in lodges to select ] their marks and have them duly registered . Laws still extant of the sixteenth century provide for such accordingly , and a Mason then without his mark would have been as great a curiosity as one without tools . In our own day no better system has been devised to connect the workmen with his work ,

by his own act and deed ; and the mark book is the witness whose decision knows of no appeal . At the building of the Truro Cathedral , the first foundation-stone of the kind laid with Free Masonic honours , the venerable system of Masons' marks was employed , only inserted on the bed of the stone , instead of the face or side exhibited . A few of these marks are herewith shown as curiosities . It has been contended , however , that we as Freemasons have nothing to do with marks , as it is exclusively an operative custom .

put such an objection wholly disappears when it is remembered that gentlemen who joined the Masonic lodges in early days selected their marks and had them duly booked , just as the Apprentice and Craftsman . John Boswell , Esq ., attended the Lodge of Edinburgh on June Sth , 1600 , as a member , and attested the minutes oi the meeting by signing his name and adding his mark . Many noblemen joined that old lodge ( which continues to this day ) , during the seventeenth century , and all of them chose

their marks . Numerous lodges of that period likewise observed the same custom as respects their speculative brethren , and also during the last century , so that the universality of the choice of marks by speculative as well as operative Freemasons down to modern times is well established . The noted mark-book of Aberdeen of the year 16 70 contains a roll of 49 members , 47 of whom had their marks registered , and only eight of the number were operatives . ' 1 he Master was a tutor , and the list included several

noblemen , ministers , surgeons , tradesmen , & c . When the ceremony of the Mark Degree was added cannot now be fixed , but I am inclined to date it soon after the Royal A ° rch , which was arranged about A . D . 1740 . The earliest known minute of the Mark Degree being conferred is of A . D . 1773 , at Durham ; the next , of 1777 , at London ; and the third at Banff of A . D . 177 S . Many old lodges continued the custom of mark choosing , and added the Mark ceremony , which has been continuously worked for considerably

over a century . Several of these are on the register of the Mark Grand Lodge , which body was formed in 1 S 56 to govern the Degree in England and the colonies . The first Grand Master was Lord Leigh , and the . second the lamented Earl of _ Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master of the Craft in England , who continued his interest in the ceremony down to his decease . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales has been Grand Master from the year iSSG , and I think it mav fairlv be declared that

the Mark Degree has all the recognition it needs , and that its continued prosperity is well assured under the present able management . The Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Grand Chapter both acknowledge and adopt the Mark Degree , as also Ireland , and , save in England , no Grand Chapter of the Koyal Arch communicates that ceremony until the Mark Degree has been taken . There are now some 200 , 000 contributm- ** * - Mark

Master Masons in English speaking countries . The first Mark lodge , under regular authority , was established in Cornwall in 1 S 6 4-5 , tut the Degree was worked in Redruth nearly a century ago with many others . No . 417 , Camborne , makes the twelfth under the genial rule of the K . W . Bro . Sir Charles B . Graves-Sawle , Bart . It is well for us to remember that the more Degrees that are taken the greater our obligation to do right , and the greater the sin to do wrong . Unless the 200 , 000 chosen Mark Masons exhibit due moral advancement , they had better have remained in the ranks of the 2 , 000 , 000 of Master Masons . Those who act immorally are not Mark Masters , but Mark defaulters .

Consecration Of The Mount Edgcumbe Mark Lodge, No. 417.

At any rate , if we fail to do our duty as in God ' s sight , the fault is wholly ours , for in no Degree are the injunctions respecting morality and goodfellowship more enforced and binding than in that of Mark Masonry . An anthem followed , and the ceremonial of the consecration was proceeded with by the P . G . M . and his officers . At its conclusion the P . G . M . declared the lodge duly consecrated and dedicated , and pronounced the final benediction .

The Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed . The new lodge was next opened by Bro . E . Milford-Milford , who officiated as the Installing Officer . Bro . F . W . Thomas was installed as the W . M . The Board of Installed Masters , in addition to those who were previously officiating , included Bros . E . Aitken-Davies , 1099 , P . P . J . G . W . Devonshire ; W . Wales , jun ., W . M . 73 ; J . O . Eva , W . M . 175 ;

and W . A . Bennett , 101 , P . P . G . I . of W . The officers invested were Bros . R . Rowe , S . W . ; W . Vial , J . W . ; J . Whitworth , Sec . ; J . C . Hurrell , M . O . ; A . Dunkin , S . O . ; F . J . Lee , J . O . ; J . Adams , S . D . ; A . J . Tangye , J . D . ; and J . Pendray , I . G . Bro . H . P . Vivian , P . M . 73 , & c , was elected Treasurer , and Bro . John Nichols , Tyler .

Each of the officers found his own collar jewel , and presented the set to the lodge for the use of the future officers . The lodge was thus spared the expense of purchasing its collar jewels . Two handsome pieces of antique silver were supplied by Bro . Vivian for use at the consecration—a cup from a coffee service once belonging to a magnate at Algiers , and a salt-box formerly the property of an Arab sheik .

Bro . W . KING BAKER gave the brethren a very interesting explanation of recent discoveries made in the side lettering of the Mark tracing board , for which he was gratefully thanked . In the evening the brethren dined together , the W . M ., Bro . F . W . Thomas , presiding . The visitors were the guests of the founders .

A Missouri Innovation.

A MISSOURI INNOVATION .

The Philadelphia Keystone of the 27 th December contains a leader entitled " For the first time , " in which it very severely and very properly condemns an innovation which appears to have been introduced in Missouri Lodge , No . 1 , St . Louis , in connection with the Third Degree . The following is a description of the meeting at which this ceremony was worked under such unusual

circumstances , the lodge being , we are told , so numerously attended that a number of brethren were unable to gain admission , as " not even standing room was available , " it being "for the first time in the history of Masonry in this jurisdiction the Degree was conferred in full costume . " What this meant will be gathered from the following account of the officers and members of the lodge as they appeared on this occasion :

The Worshipful Master ' s robe being of extra fine purple silk velvet , with elaborate trimmings of gold bullion fringe and gold braid . Crown gold-plated , with interior cap of purple silk richly jewelled . Sceptre gold-plated . The Senior Warden ' s robe is of extra fine scarlet silk velvet . richly trimmed with gold bullion fringe . Head-dress richly jewelled tiara front crown . The Junior Warden ' s robe is of blue silk velvet trimmed with gilt lace and braids , with gold-plated head-dress .

The Senior Deacon ' s robe is of purple velvet trimmed with heavy satin and gilt laces , with turban of purple merino and yellow satin . The Junior Deacon ' s robe is the same style as that of the Senior Deacon , but of blue velvet . The robes of the Stewards are of fine quality blue merino , trimmed with silver lace . Caps of blue merino , with silver trimmings . The Craftmen of blue sateen , with oriental folded turban ; and the three special Craftsmen wore robes of brown sateen , with turbans similar to the other Craftsmen .

What the Keystone thinks of this innovation may be gathered from the following remarks of our worthy contemporary : Whenever anything is now done "for the first time" in Freemasonry , any one is justifiable in inquiring—Is it lawful ? And the authoritative answer is certain to be—No . We may not , in this nineteenth century , begin any usage in the Craft " for the first time . " Hundreds and thousands of years have

determined what may and what ' may not be done . Freemasonry is not an undiscovered country , into which a new people may enter to crowd out the old ; into which a new civilisation may be introduced to replace one that is alleged to be effete ; into which novel ceremonies and usages may be foisted , to replace the ancient usages , customs , and landmarks . Whatever is new in Masonry is more than

questionable—it is evidently unlawful . The true Freemason does not inquire in the Craft for what is new , but for what is old—the old principles , the old traditions , the old usages , the old landmarks . If any usage is new , he knows it to be not permissible . The article concludes thus . *

We never saw the Third Degree conferred in costume " but once , when visiting in another jurisdiction , and we never desire to see it again . In all earnestness we say banish from Freemasonry whatever tends to make it a mere show . Any Masonic work correctly , intelligently , and impressivel y performed will command a large audience of faithful , earnest Master Masons and seekers after light . It needs not a "jewelled tiara , " or " gilt laces , " or a " turban of purple merino , " or " robes of brown sateen" to mark a Freemason . In such

clothing a Freemason is disguised . It is unsuitable , unmeaning , unauthorised by any usage except the most recent , and that only in certain jurisdictions . Our mother Grand Lodge of England knows nothing about this costuming of Masonic officers in Royal robes . We received our first lodges , and with them our Masonic principles , from her , and when we depart from her usages we depart from Freemasonry itself . The fact that " costumes " have , in the few jurisdictions which admit them , been only of late used " for the first time , " condemns them beyond appeal as unlawful and un-Masonic .

FREDERICK MUNTER was born at Gotha in 1762 , afterwards Professor at Copenhagen , and Bishop of Seeland ; he died in 1830 . He was a learned man , as well as an archaeologist , and a zealous Freemason . He was a member of the Lodges " Zerobabel zum Nordstern " and " Friederich zur gekronten Hoffnung " at Copenhagen . He is principally known by his publication relating to the Templars , " Statuten Buch des Ordens der Tempelherren , " which appeared at

Berlin in 1791 , and professed to be taken from an old French MS . He also published the " Aufnahme , " the reception of the Templars , in Egger ' s " Deutschen Magazin , " 1792 , from the " Great Rule " of the Order discovered at Rome . His contributions to archaeology have been considerable—especially " Symbola Veteris Ecclesiae Artis Operibus expressa , " Hafnire , 1819 ; " Sinnbilder und

Kunstvorstellungen der alten Christen , " Altona , 1825 ; and " Versuch iiber dei Werklichen Alterthumer der Grostitler , " 1790 . Kloss mentions 12 works of his of various kinds . The learned Merydorff , in his posthumous work " Die Geheim Statuten , " seems to fear that he may be the originator of the four apocryphal MSS . relative to the Kni ghts Templars which he published . —Kenning ' s Cyclopaedia of Freemasonry .