Mark Masonry.

brethren to give their assistance to the Grand Master , and by their counsel and presence to add to the dignity and good conduct of Grand Lodge . Of these officers there were none to whom so deep a debt of gratitude was owing as to Bro . Beach , who not only fulfilled his duties to the satisfaction

of everyone while he was in the chair , but after he left it was regular in his attendance at Grand Lodge , and also at great personal inconvenience supported him ( the Grand Master ) on the occasion of his visit to Lancashire , when the great raid was made on Scotch Mark Masonry .

Bro . Beach , in reply , said he could not easily forget the kindness with which he was supported while he was Grand Master . Although it afforded him great pleasure to occupy the chair , he entirely recognised the propriety of the rule that the tenure of the Grand Mastership should be but for a limited

period . The presidentship of Bro . Portal sufficiently testified to the soundness of this rule , for if any of his predecessors had held office for a long time , the degree would have been deprived of his eminent services . While he ( Bro . Beach ) was in the chair , the Order made considerable progress .

It was then that the admirable system of holding moveable Grand Lodges was instituted , a system which has since been carried out with great advantage , inasmuch as it gave us the opportunity of seeing those brethren who presided over our affairs in the provinces , and brought us into harmonious

relation with them . It certainly involved a sacrifice of time and entailed much trouble ; but this was a duty , as it showed the provincial brethren that the London brethren were not unmindful of their country brethren ' s interests . It had had a most salutary effect . Reference had been made to the

uniting of other degrees as much as possible with this Grand Lodge by treaty . He had travelled in other countries , and had seen the mode in which Freemasonry was conducted there , and though it was in all material points the self-same system , there were in it those little changes and differences

which under other skies and in another hemisphere must exist . We ought to profit by our experience , and should not be slow to avail ourselves of improvements . If our system was best , let us hold it ; but if we could introduce an advantageous change , let us do so . Of all the systems he had witnessed

abroad , the best was the placing of all the authorities in Freemasonry under one jurisdiction . There was , it was true , possibly a different jurisdiction for this degree and for that ; but they all acted harmoniously together . That , he thought , was what should be done here . In conclusion , he begged to

thank the brethren for drinking the health of the Past Grand Masters of the Mark Degree . The Grand Master next proposed " The Deputy Grand Master and the Grand Officers , Past and Present . " Lord Eliot responded , and remarked that if good

masters made good servants , which he believed they did , there ought to be no better servants than the officers of Grand Mark Lodge . Ever since he had been connected with Mark Masonry it had had the very best Grand Masters , and he had no doubt that the younger brethren who were present would

make themselves proficient in their knowledge of the degree . He hoped always to see the same spirit prevailing among them as existed at presentkindliness on the part of the Masters , and affection on the part of the officers . He concluded by hoping that thc incorporation of the other degrees with the

Mark would lead to thc effectual carrying out of the true spirit of Masonry . Thc Grand Master proposed "The Health of thc Provincial Grand Masters . " In proportion as a Provincial Grand Master took an interest in the degree it would prosper or flourish , or the reverse .

Mark Masonry in Leicestershire had for some time been in abeyance , no brother having been appointed after thc former patent had ceased , until it was renewed by Past Grand Master Beach . Since then , however , the degree has flourished in that province . Some eminent Masons now held Provincial Grand

Masterships , among them being Earl Percy , Bro . Talbot , the Earl of Carnarvon , and Col . Burdett . Hcjwould call ' on Bro . Duncan , Prov . G . M . of British Burmah , to respond to this toast , who when he returned to his province would be able to tell thc brethren there of thc flourishing condition of Mark

Masonry , and would spur them on to excellence in that dependency . Bro . Duncan , acknowledgingthe toast , said British Burmah was an important place , its was as large as Great Britain , its trade was considerable , and its Masonic spirit very great . Thc Mark degree there

under the late Bro . Greenlaw flourished , and that brother was held in the highest respect both in that degree ancl in others , as he had extended Masonry by pressing its claims and importance , and establishing lodges in Madras and Bengal under his

immediate supervision . As the successor of that brother he should follow in his footsteps , and when he returned would inform the brethren of thc position he degree held in this country . "The Masonic Charities and the Mark Grand

Mark Masonry.

Lodge Benevolent Fund" was the next toast , to which Bro . F . Binckes , G . Sec , replied in an able and exhaustive speech , and " The Visitors , " which followed , were represented by Bros . J . Chadwicke and Thos . Hargreaves , both of East Lancashire . The latter brother strongly advocated the principle

of having the charity jewel presented by Grand Lodge , which he would value far more if it were only a rosette , than he would a jewel worth , £ 5 0 that he could buy himself . The brethren then separated . During the evening the brethren were favoured

with some excellent music and singing , which was executed with great ability by Bros . Lawler , Walker and Baxter , Mr . Mason and others , and the proceeding throughout the meeting evinced the lively interest now taken by the Craft in this ancient degree .

Macdonald Lodge, No. 104.

MACDONALD LODGE , No . 104 .

This Mark Lodge met on Saturday last at the Headquarters of the First Surrey Rifle Volunteers , Brunswickroad , Camberwell New Road . Bro . James Stevens , W . M ., presided , and was suppported by the following brethren : —T . Meggy , I . P . M . ; Dr . Eugene Cronin , S . W . ; S . Rosenthal , J . W . ; J . H . Hastie , M . O . ; G .

Waterall , S . O . ; A . Walton , J . O . ; Rev . D . Shaboe , as Chaplain ; F . Binckes , Treasurer ; C . Hammerton , Secretary ; R . Berridge , S . D . ; T . White , J . D . ; W . Worrell , Organist ; G . Newman , I . G . ; and A . Williams . The visitors were numerous and distinguished , but the great honour conferred on the lodge was the visit paid on this occasion by the M . W . G . M ., Bro . the Rev . G . R . Portal ,

M . A ., who was accompanied by Lord Eliot , the G . J . W . It will be remembered that at the emergency meeting of Grand Mark Lodge , held on the 2 nd of August , the Grand Master stated that it would give him pleasure , and it was his intention , to visit the various London Mark lodges during the autumn . The Macdonald was , of course , not behind hand in availing itself of the proffered

honour , and at the earliest meeting succeeding this announcement , the M . W . G . M . was invited to redeem his promise , as far as this lodge was concerned . With the readiness which he- always shows to support the Order , he immediately accepted the invitation , and a meeting worthy of thc occasion was secured . A large number of brethren were invited to meet the eminent

guests of the W . M ., and to receive htm with due honours . For this purpose a lodge of improvement was first held , where the brethren were instructed in the proper forms to be observed . The ceremony of advancement was formally rehearsed , which partly accounted for the entire success with which the lodge was conducted . At the opening of the lodge , the Grand Master and

Lord Eliot were conducted to the lodge-room in regular procession , and were saluted with the honours due to their respective ranks . In lodge the brethren present were Bros . W . S . Webster ( 3 ) , John Read , G . Org . ; A . Greatrex ( 3 ) , A . D . Loewenstark ( 22 ) , II . C . Levander ( 1 ) , W . Mann , P . G . R . ; F . Walters ( 1 ) , II . Massey ( P . M . 22 ) , and Bolton . Bros .

T . D . Sewell ( 21 Craft ) , J . Cressy Hall ( 190 Craft ) , W . S . Wyman ( 409 Craft ) , and C . T . Dean ( 525 Craft ) , were advanced to this ancient and honourable degree , and at the conclusion of the ceremony , and before thc lodge was closed , The M . W . G . M . said it had given him great satisfaction to visit the Macdonald Lodge that night , but above all

to find that the work of the W . M . and his officers was so efficiently performed . Among other things that he had observed with gratification was the distinction made between the degrees of Mark Man and Mark Master , which the W . M . had given separately . The pleasure of his visit would long have a happy memory with him , and he hoped that the Secretary would enter on the minutes ,

not only that he had been there , but that he had openly expressed his satisfaction with wdiat he had witnessed . The members of the lodge had his best wishes for their happiness , and the lodge for its prosperity . No other business presenting itself , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet , presided over by the W . M . At its conclusion , the cti . sloni . iry

compliments were paid to royalty and Masonry by the W . M ., who indulged the brethren with some very good speeches . In proposing thc first royal toast , he said he hoped before long another royal addition might be made to the Order . The next toast on the list was that of " The M . W . G . Master , " and in giving it , the W . M . said that though it was always drank with cordiality in the Grand Master ' s

absence , in his presence he hoped it would be equally but not excessively so . For himself , he might say he was very proud that during his year of office the head of their Order should have visited this lodge , and if there was one stimulus which the brethren required more than another to welcome him most heartily , it was lo be found in thc fact that at some considerable inconvenience to

himself he had come among them that night . They must feel that a debt of gratitude was due to him from them in a Masonic sense for the trouble he had taken , and he would wish all that Past Master Meggy had said of him in his absence might be considered as repeated iu his presence , with a great accession of gratitude for having come among them . This , he felt , would be sufficient to secure the toast a hearty reception .

The M . W . G . M .: As I have already stated in thc lodgelo'iin , it has given me very great pleasure to be present here iti-niglit ; but at the same time it ha- ; , I am free to confess , been a matter of some inconvenience thai I should be here , for I come upwards of 60 miles on this very snowy day lo attend your meeting . And 1 am not sure I should Y . u ,.: c-c .-. r : f i ; lu 1 no ! ' . jee ' . i for : ' . very ;' . '•>'; flank movement of your Secretary , which was quite worthy of a Von Molke or Bismarck ; for , having once said I

Macdonald Lodge, No. 104.

was to be here , I found I was obliged to be here . When I took the chair of Grand Lodge , in which the suffrages of my brethren placed me , I found that our degree was in an entirely isolated position ; unrecognised by any of the other bodies which worked the degree in the British dominions , and unrecognised by those other great orders which , like ourselves , are not recognised by the Craft

Grand Lodge of England . I am happy to say that we are now recognised by two Grand Lodges—those of Canada and Ireland . Thanks to the energy and ability of Grand Secretary , there is every likelihood that before many weeks are over we shall be recognised by the Grand Chapter of Scotland , and we shall then be the head of the Mark degree in this country . It has also been a

great satisfaction to me to be permitted by Grand Lodge to contract treaties of alliance with those other orders which , like ourselves , are unrecognised by the Grand Craft Lodge of England , because I feel that if they join , each will strengthen the other . As regards our own particular Order , nothing can be more flourishing than it is . Those among you who were at Grand Mark Lodge on

Tuesday will remember to have heard the Provincial Grand Officers for Lancashire stating the progress the degree is making there , and of a time-immemorial lodge in that province being desirous of joining us . I need not remind you , too , that we have established a Masonic Benevolent Fund , which was the only thing , I think , wanting to make our system complete . This lodge , as

you know , was one of the first to support that fund . I thank you in the name of the Order for thc support which you collectively and individually have given to that great charity . It has , I am certain , done a vast deal of good , and that at a minimum of personal humiliation and degradation—if I may say so—of the persons who applied for relief ; because , different from our other Masonic

institutions , we do not require those persons to appear before Grand Lodge before we send them relief . I am quite sure that if other lodges will copy the good example you set , and frequent lodges of instruction , our Order will very soon arrive at that pitch of perfection in work that we all desire to see it attain to . I must beg to congratulate you on the success of your lodge , though it is ,

as you all know , a very young lodge ; and I wish you all , both collectively and individually , every success and prosperity . ( Cheers . ) Tlie toast of "The Deputy Grand Master , Earl Percy , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Past and Present , " was next proposed , and in doing so , the W . M . observed that it would have been surprising , from the respect in

which the M . W . G . M . was held by the officers of Grand Lodge , if he had been allowed to come unaccompanied to this lodge . The brethren were glad to see them , and there was a hearty welcome for them ; and if the Grand Master could express satisfaction at what he had seen , no doubt they would do the same . Individually , he ( the W . M . ) thanked them for their kindness and attention ,

and more especially Lord Eliot , P . S . G . W . They were also favoured with the company of Bro . Levander , P . G . D . C . ; Bro . Read , G . Org . ; Bro . Mann , P . G . R . of M . ; Bro . Loewenstark , P . G . I . G . ; Bro . Walters , P . G . I . G . ; and Bro . Shaboe , P . G . C . It was a matter of pride that the Macdonald Lodge was placed in the position of having as many as six of its members Grand

Officers , though they were not the Grand Officers he included in the toast . With the exception of these , he called on the brethren to drink the health of the D . G . M and the rest of the Grand Officers . Lord Eliot thought there was no more improper way of returning hospitality than by making a long speech . Therefore he would only say . 1 very few words ,

particularly as he had to speak for a great many people ; and if he said much , he might possibly say something they might not approve of . It had been a pleasure to him to perform his duty by attending the M . W . G . M . here , and his reward had been to see some admirable working , and lo meet with a most hospitable and kind reception , for which lie sincerely thanked the brethren . The toast of " The Past Grand Masters " was then

proposed , and Bro . Thomas Meggy afterwards proposed "The Health of the W . M . " , who had arranged this meeting and enabled the brethren to prove to the M . W . G . M . that the Macdonald Lodge did not intend to be behind any of the other lodges in its work . They had seen their W . M . ' s work , which proved that he was capable of becoming the lopstone of the building .

The W . M . replied . Within reasonable limits , there was nothing which energy and perseverance could do that he would leave undone to promote the efficiency of this lodge , or the good of Freemasonry , lie felt bound lo thank thc brethren for rallying round him in working this lodge—one of whose founders lie was—and bringing it to the state of perfection in which they now saw it . To

him it was an assurance that he had given tlicni satisfaction , and would be a strong inducement to give slid further labour in carrying out the interests of Mark Masonry . Although not wishing to arrogate to himself any good Masonic qualities he might possess , he could not help saying that the acquisition of . 1 knowledge of the degrees , while following his ordinary business affairs , was

not a matter of small moment , lie did not grudge the labour hehad bestowed on it ; it had enabled him , though not to be perfect , at least to pass muster . Without being egotistic , he believed he had done the ceremony that evening as fairly as any man who had been a Mark Master for eighteen or twenty months . Why had he followed it up ? To induce those who could take an interest in the Order to lose no time in learning the work . He had

learned it in the streets , in railway carriages when lie had 1 : 0 newspaper , and lie believed he hail also learned il at li : e expense of a good many friends , who , no doubt , wished him further . He recommended the same course to others . He fell that , as far as this beautiful degree was concerned , if they once got into the manow of it , and sawhow the whole system worked— -beautifully , and gradually , and harmoniously , as in every-day life , or with builders'