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Articles/Ads
Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article To Correspondents. Page 1 of 1 Article Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article REVIEWS Page 1 of 1 Article REVIEWS Page 1 of 1 Article Masonic Notes and Queies. Page 1 of 1 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00705
"LA BRILLANTINE " METALLIC POWDER IS the best , cheapest and most effective Powder for cleaning and polishing Metals and Glass , especially Brass . It is used by the Life , Horse , and Dragoon Guards , the Fire Brigades , & c . Sold everywhere in 6 d . & is . Boxes . Proprietors , J . f . BAUMGARTNER & CO ., 2 ; , N EWMAN STREET , OXFORD STREET , LONDON , W . Beware of spurious imitations .
Ad00706
CAPITAN GENERAL MANILA CIGARS . RETAIL EVERYWHERE . Are the finest foreign cigar ever olfercd . CAPITAN GENERAL CIGARS . Are of exceedingly fine quality . The press is unanimous in their praise . Retail of all leading Tobacconists in London and provinces . CAPITAN GENERAL CIGARS . Superior to all other Cigars sold at much higher prices . Best value in the trade . Retail everywhere , CAPITAN GENERAL CIGARS . Wholesale of Mr . J . VAN RAALTE , 4 t , Fcnchurch Street , E . C , ; And of all Wholesale Houses . SOCIETY says : — " The * Capitan General' Manila Cigars for fulness of flavour , delicacy of aroma , and cheapness , could not he excelled . "
Ad00707
< £ > c , J : & W . TOLLEY , ^> < Gun and Rifle Manufacturers , A . V < , V PIONEER WORKS , BIRMINGHAM ; cN A ^ 1 , Conduit Street , Regent Street , London . <^ <^» NEW LISTS FREE . <^ f-XT Sole Makers of the " STANDARD " ^ HAMMERLESS GUN .
Ad00708
PARASCHO CIGARETTES Possess a delicious natural aroma . When smoked or inhaled do not irritate the throat or nostrils . Are made ONLY from the finest YENI . IEH ( Turkey ) TOBACCO . Are rolled in specially prepared paper , tasteless , and free from nitre and are different from and superior to all others . A sample box containing 24 , will be forwarded to any address on receipt of as . 6 d . in Stamps or Postal Order . SOLE ADDHESS—6 j , PARK STREET , GROSVENOR SQUARE , LONDON , W
Ad00709
^» FOR MNSIONS OR VILLAS , ^^ j > I MPERISHABLE FLOORING . « SN ^ F LO OR COVERING . ^ fcSr Estimates Free . > 26 , BERNERS STREET , W .
Ad00710
g ARNOLD . —ANTIQUE SILVER PLATE . "D * ARNOLD . —OLD SILVER BOUGHT for Cash . "p * ARNOLD . —PLATE and JEWELS VALUED . TD ARNOLD . —USEFUL WEDDING PRESENTS . g ' ARNOLD . —MASONIC JEWELS . t > ARNOLD . —Silversmith , 72 , Baker-street , W .
Ad00711
KNITTING AT HOME , BY which Incomes can be Increased and recreative as well as Healthy Employment secured . Apply for terms to—PATENT AUTOMATIC KNITTING MAGHINE CO ., LONDON : 417 , Oxford-street , W . ; 159 , Upper-street , Islington . LIVERPOOL : 39 , Islington . GLASGOW : 7 , Howard-street .
Ad00712
F . READ , READ , mL 0 R & OUTFITTER , M A _ . _ Sixteen years with AUFREU WEUB MILES J \ R K , and Co ., 12 , Brook-st ., Hanover-sq . AND SPECIALITE 63 s . SUITS and 1 ~ . ^ » , ' 6 s . and 21 s . TROUSERS . LEARN , It , Brook Street , Bond Street , W .
Ad00713
CARRIAGES . P and R . SHANKS particularly call . attention to their light ON E-HORSE LANDAUS , of the very best materials , and fitted with their patent Self-acting Head . Several building to order to be seen in all stages at their manufactory , 70 & 71 , Great Queen-st ., Lincoln ' s Inn-Fields . Drags and new and second-hand Carriages of all descriptions . Estimates given for repairs .
Ad00714
OUR EYES . BROWNING'S IMPROVED METHOD OF SUITING THE SIGHT WITH SPECTACLES either personall y or by correspondence . Browning ' s axis-cut Pebbles are the most perfect lenses made , being cut from pure crystals of Brazilian pebbles at right angles to the aiis , and every lens _ tested separately by the polariscope . S pectacles of superior quality from 4 s . 6 d . per pair ; with pebble lenses in best steel frames , from 10 s . Cd . per pair ; and in gold frames from £ 1 3 s . Cd . Full particulars of Browning ' s Method of Suiting the Sight by correspondence , and testimonials post free . —JOHN BROWNING , 63 , gtrand , London , W . C .
Ad00715
DENT , < = i ILLUSTRATED ¦ ^ " ¦^ X ° CATALOGUE of HIGH-CLASS WATPTTPC ! WATCHES and CLOCKS at '"¦ n . J . V- ' . rXElO . REDUCED PRICES , sent post <&^ ^ V , rfL free on application to E . DENT jffrjr \ % fc an (* Co ., Makers to tne Queen , > rDFNT > F 6 s > STRAND , LONDON , W . C , ¦ * L uuill - ^ or R 0 VAL EXCHANGE , I
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
" Masonry in the Soudan , " and several other communications stand over .
BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . " The Musician , " " Monitcur do la Chance Universellc , " " Die Bauhuttc , " "Hull Packet , " " Jewish Chronicle , " "Sunday Times" ( New York ) , " Broad Arrow , " "Sunday Times" ( London ) , "Citizen , " "Court Circular , " "The Freemasons' Repository , " "Keystone , " "Allen ' s Indian Mail , " and "Proceedings of the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Granting of Warrant 459 to African Lodge . "
Ar00717
rSSi ^ Sj ^ V ^^ jfe ^^^^^^ A ^ A AAAAA & gi W * i £ if st ^^^^^ ry ^' iirirv ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ SATURDAY , J 20 , 1885 .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of the opinionsexpressedby ourcorrespondents . but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]
MARK GRAND LODGE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The paragraph in the report of the General Board , to which you direct attention in your last issue , was perhaps not worded as clearly as it might have been . It may , however , be grammatically read thus , and certainly this is
what was intended : " This Grand Lodge can only continue to re-assert the principles which havealwf . ys-guided the Grand Lodges of Great Britain and Ireland , viz ., that a minority of lodges cannot be coerced by a majority into joining a new organisation . That a Grand Lodge to be a lawful body must be constituted in accordance with the laws of the State . And , as regards the Mark Degree fthis Grand
Lodge can only continue to reassert the principle ] , that Mark lodges have a right to a separate charter or warrant should they desire it , and ought not to be compulsorily merged in the more modern Degree of Royal Arch Mason . " As to the historical accuracy of the last statement , I would have thought that there could be no doubt whatever . A Committee of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of
Scotland reported in 1 S 65 : " In this country , from time immemorial , or long before the institution of the Grand Lodge of Scotland ( in 1736 ) , what is now known as the Mark Masters' Degree was wrought by the Operative lodges of St . John ' s Masonry . " In A . D . 1598 William Schaw , Master of Works to King James VI ., orders the marks of all masons to be inserted
in their work . In the seventeenth century Mother Kilwinning Lodge made members choose their marks , and charged them 4 s . each for the same . The Banff Operative Lodge gave the Mark Degree in 177 S . It was given at Durham in 1774 in a Craft lodge . There was no such thing as a Grand
Chapter till about 1760 , and the Royal Arch Masons of that date did not claim to work the Mark Degree , which , as I have shown , was worked in Craft lodges . The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland was not formed till 1 S 17 . It now works the Mark Degree in conjunction with the Craft Grand Lodge . —I am , dear Sir . and Brother , yours fraternally , A MARK MASTER MASON .
PROVINCIAL KALENDARS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I quite agree with Bro . Lloyd in his letter , as published in the Freemason of the 6 th inst ., as to the Immediate Past Master of a lodge not being an actual officer of the lodge , and that the I . P . M . should not be included
amongst the officers of the lodge , either in the Provincial Calendars or in the list of officers usually published by the lodge . But if this be an irregularity , what are we to say to the appointment and investment of an I . P . M . at the
consecration of a new lodge , when such an officer could not possibly exist . ' I have noticed this anomaly on several occasions within the past few years , but it is an innovation of a recent date , and should be dealt with accordingly . —Yours fraternally , ROBERT CASE , P . M . 417 , Prov . G . Sec . Dorset . Dorchester , 13 th June . e ^ fa ^ p ^^
Reviews
REVIEWS
THE MAGAZINES . THE ILLUSTRATED NAVAL AND MILITARY MAGAZINE . No . 12 . Vol . II . The June number of this technical and interesting magazine for the Service comes before us with great freedom of letterpress and effect of illustration . It contains much that is important for the soldier , the sailor , the militiaman ,
and the volunteer to master and realize , and a perusal will certainly afford both information and pleasure to all whose proclivities or duties lie that way . Without being "Jingoes" or " peace-at-any-price parties . " We think all that tends to help on the thoroughness and
efficiency of our great Services , extends scientific information , or advances technical proficiency , deserves encouragement and commendation . Soldiers and sailors and volunteers ought to be educated up to their work and for their work , in fact now there is little room for the ignorant or "faineant . " Recent episodes show us how a little ignorance , carelessness , " laissez faire , " may sacrifice
Reviews
invaluable lives ; and as the greatest merit of the true commander is to save his men ' s lives and not to lose them , all that assists to make the soldier of all ranks " au fait " to his duty and work will always find laudatory mention in the pages of the Freemason .
Masonic Notes And Queies.
Masonic Notes and Queies .
610 ] THE BATTLE OF THE GRADES . Some time back I took occasion to protest that Bro . Gould and I were not at one on the question of Degrees prior to 1717 . I think it only right to mention that , since he has developed his views in Vol . IV ., the only point of importance on which we are now at variance is the age of the Hiramic Legend . I hope to give expression to my own opinion before very long . Bro . Gould has ably argued his case , but I am inclined to think has overlooked a few points . G . VV . SPETH .
611 J THE MARK DEGREE . As the Editor of the Freemason truly remarks , there is neither necessity nor propriety " in merging the Mark Degree in the Royal Arch , " so far as this country is concerned . Those who desired its recognition by the Grand Lodge of England , some 30 years ago , would be among the first now to decline that honour , not only because absorption mould
ultimately mean extinction , but also because the " Articles of Union " decidedly bar any such action . The position of the " United Grand Lodge of England" is logical and most Masonic by extending toleration , but not recognition , to any Degrees save the first three , including the Royal Arch ; leaving the brethren to find out for themselves those additional Degrees which are worthy of support . A sure
indication , or test , I suggest , is to examine the registers of members , and note the Masonic character and standing of their adherents . The report of the " Mark Grand Lodge , " which is fraternally alluded to by the Editor , is , I should think , intended to apply to the custom of choosing a mark , not to the Mark Degree . I quite think , with that report , that English Mark lodges have a right at the present time
to a separate charter or warrant . I do not , however , consider the " Mark Masters , " as a Degree , is of more antiquity than the " Royal Arcli , " but more probably junior in point of age . So far as we can trace the Mark , the earliest minute is of 1774 ( to which I referred last week ) , whereas the earliest known of the Royal Arch records is 1762 , added to which , the latter is noted in a work of 1744 . I
expect to hear of earlier minutes of the "Mark" before long , if brethren will carefully examine old records of Craft lodges , as Bro . Logan has so lately done . The Mark Degree is of special value , because of its preservation of the very ancient custom of choosing marks—a custom that is really ancient ; whereas the Degree of Royal Arch and other Masonic Degrees cannot lay claim to records beyond
the last century . Speculative Masons selected marks in the seventeenth century , as we know , and had them registered side by side with the Operatives . The Regulations of 159 S ( Schaw's ) provided for mark books being kept , and with all the old Scottish lodges the selection of marks , even in modern days , was _ considered a necessary part of the initiation and " passing , " hence the attachment to
Mark Masonry in Scotland , and its recognition by the Grand Lodge of that country . Bro . Gould ' s valuable history should be consulted , also Bro . Lyon's noble work . My opinion is that Mark Masonry antedates the formation of RoyalArch Grand Chapters , and therefore the members can fairly claim to work it apart from , though in friendship with , all Grand Chapters . Still , as a Degree it is modern , as with all Degrees ; at least , such is my opinion . W . J . HUGHAN .
612 ] DEGREE TERMINOLOGY . " Masonic Student" wishes extracts from lodge minutes of the use of technical words before 1 750 ; here is one from the Kelso Lodge minute book : " Kelso , December 28 th , 1741 . " Sederunt , " The Society of free and acceptedMassones in Kelso who entered John Forbers , John Linning , Andrew Kerr , and William Kerr , and passed William Mather , Robt .
McLwraith , Bartly Ramsay , Andrew Aitchisone , John Laidlaw , James Howey , William Kerr , Henry Nilsonc , William Douglass , James Corbett , and George Hardy . " Thomas Waitt , by p lurality of votes , was nominatt Master , James Potts , Wairden , and Wm . Mather , Boxmaster . " If I had time 1 would no doubt be able to make other extracts , but the above may help to swell the evidence required by " Masonic Student . " W . FRED . VERNON .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
© raft jfcouvg .
RANELAGH LODGE ( No . 834 ) . —A meeting of this large and highly prosperous lodge took place at the Criterion Resturant , Regent ' s-circus , W ., on Tuesday , the 9 th inst . Among those present were Bros . Sims , W . M . ; Dipson , S . W . ; Blake , J . W . ; John Tuck , Sec . ; Coplestone , S . D . ; Williams , l . D . 5 Broadbridge , I . G . ; Walkley , Tyler ; Shaw , P . ' M . ; Ellingford , P . M . ; H .
Purdue , I . P . M . ; Fisher , P . M . ; W . E . Purdue , J . J . West , P . M ., Waller , Cooney , Mayhew , Perrett , Holland , Newland , May , Oliver , P . M ., Chambers , Lake , Cliburn , Iredale , Philips , Southwood , and others . The lodge was openel promptly at 5 o ' clock , when there was a large number of the brethren assembled . The
minutes of the installation and emergency meetings having been confirmed , Bros . Mayhew and Perrett , candid ates for passing , were then examined and entrusted . The ballot was then taken for Mr . Lucas , a candidate for initiation , which proved unanimous . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree ; Bros . Mayhew and Perrett , being properl y prepared , were admitted and passed to the Degree of F . C . Bros . Kemp and Eason , candidates for raising , were then
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00705
"LA BRILLANTINE " METALLIC POWDER IS the best , cheapest and most effective Powder for cleaning and polishing Metals and Glass , especially Brass . It is used by the Life , Horse , and Dragoon Guards , the Fire Brigades , & c . Sold everywhere in 6 d . & is . Boxes . Proprietors , J . f . BAUMGARTNER & CO ., 2 ; , N EWMAN STREET , OXFORD STREET , LONDON , W . Beware of spurious imitations .
Ad00706
CAPITAN GENERAL MANILA CIGARS . RETAIL EVERYWHERE . Are the finest foreign cigar ever olfercd . CAPITAN GENERAL CIGARS . Are of exceedingly fine quality . The press is unanimous in their praise . Retail of all leading Tobacconists in London and provinces . CAPITAN GENERAL CIGARS . Superior to all other Cigars sold at much higher prices . Best value in the trade . Retail everywhere , CAPITAN GENERAL CIGARS . Wholesale of Mr . J . VAN RAALTE , 4 t , Fcnchurch Street , E . C , ; And of all Wholesale Houses . SOCIETY says : — " The * Capitan General' Manila Cigars for fulness of flavour , delicacy of aroma , and cheapness , could not he excelled . "
Ad00707
< £ > c , J : & W . TOLLEY , ^> < Gun and Rifle Manufacturers , A . V < , V PIONEER WORKS , BIRMINGHAM ; cN A ^ 1 , Conduit Street , Regent Street , London . <^ <^» NEW LISTS FREE . <^ f-XT Sole Makers of the " STANDARD " ^ HAMMERLESS GUN .
Ad00708
PARASCHO CIGARETTES Possess a delicious natural aroma . When smoked or inhaled do not irritate the throat or nostrils . Are made ONLY from the finest YENI . IEH ( Turkey ) TOBACCO . Are rolled in specially prepared paper , tasteless , and free from nitre and are different from and superior to all others . A sample box containing 24 , will be forwarded to any address on receipt of as . 6 d . in Stamps or Postal Order . SOLE ADDHESS—6 j , PARK STREET , GROSVENOR SQUARE , LONDON , W
Ad00709
^» FOR MNSIONS OR VILLAS , ^^ j > I MPERISHABLE FLOORING . « SN ^ F LO OR COVERING . ^ fcSr Estimates Free . > 26 , BERNERS STREET , W .
Ad00710
g ARNOLD . —ANTIQUE SILVER PLATE . "D * ARNOLD . —OLD SILVER BOUGHT for Cash . "p * ARNOLD . —PLATE and JEWELS VALUED . TD ARNOLD . —USEFUL WEDDING PRESENTS . g ' ARNOLD . —MASONIC JEWELS . t > ARNOLD . —Silversmith , 72 , Baker-street , W .
Ad00711
KNITTING AT HOME , BY which Incomes can be Increased and recreative as well as Healthy Employment secured . Apply for terms to—PATENT AUTOMATIC KNITTING MAGHINE CO ., LONDON : 417 , Oxford-street , W . ; 159 , Upper-street , Islington . LIVERPOOL : 39 , Islington . GLASGOW : 7 , Howard-street .
Ad00712
F . READ , READ , mL 0 R & OUTFITTER , M A _ . _ Sixteen years with AUFREU WEUB MILES J \ R K , and Co ., 12 , Brook-st ., Hanover-sq . AND SPECIALITE 63 s . SUITS and 1 ~ . ^ » , ' 6 s . and 21 s . TROUSERS . LEARN , It , Brook Street , Bond Street , W .
Ad00713
CARRIAGES . P and R . SHANKS particularly call . attention to their light ON E-HORSE LANDAUS , of the very best materials , and fitted with their patent Self-acting Head . Several building to order to be seen in all stages at their manufactory , 70 & 71 , Great Queen-st ., Lincoln ' s Inn-Fields . Drags and new and second-hand Carriages of all descriptions . Estimates given for repairs .
Ad00714
OUR EYES . BROWNING'S IMPROVED METHOD OF SUITING THE SIGHT WITH SPECTACLES either personall y or by correspondence . Browning ' s axis-cut Pebbles are the most perfect lenses made , being cut from pure crystals of Brazilian pebbles at right angles to the aiis , and every lens _ tested separately by the polariscope . S pectacles of superior quality from 4 s . 6 d . per pair ; with pebble lenses in best steel frames , from 10 s . Cd . per pair ; and in gold frames from £ 1 3 s . Cd . Full particulars of Browning ' s Method of Suiting the Sight by correspondence , and testimonials post free . —JOHN BROWNING , 63 , gtrand , London , W . C .
Ad00715
DENT , < = i ILLUSTRATED ¦ ^ " ¦^ X ° CATALOGUE of HIGH-CLASS WATPTTPC ! WATCHES and CLOCKS at '"¦ n . J . V- ' . rXElO . REDUCED PRICES , sent post <&^ ^ V , rfL free on application to E . DENT jffrjr \ % fc an (* Co ., Makers to tne Queen , > rDFNT > F 6 s > STRAND , LONDON , W . C , ¦ * L uuill - ^ or R 0 VAL EXCHANGE , I
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
" Masonry in the Soudan , " and several other communications stand over .
BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . " The Musician , " " Monitcur do la Chance Universellc , " " Die Bauhuttc , " "Hull Packet , " " Jewish Chronicle , " "Sunday Times" ( New York ) , " Broad Arrow , " "Sunday Times" ( London ) , "Citizen , " "Court Circular , " "The Freemasons' Repository , " "Keystone , " "Allen ' s Indian Mail , " and "Proceedings of the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Granting of Warrant 459 to African Lodge . "
Ar00717
rSSi ^ Sj ^ V ^^ jfe ^^^^^^ A ^ A AAAAA & gi W * i £ if st ^^^^^ ry ^' iirirv ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ SATURDAY , J 20 , 1885 .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of the opinionsexpressedby ourcorrespondents . but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]
MARK GRAND LODGE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The paragraph in the report of the General Board , to which you direct attention in your last issue , was perhaps not worded as clearly as it might have been . It may , however , be grammatically read thus , and certainly this is
what was intended : " This Grand Lodge can only continue to re-assert the principles which havealwf . ys-guided the Grand Lodges of Great Britain and Ireland , viz ., that a minority of lodges cannot be coerced by a majority into joining a new organisation . That a Grand Lodge to be a lawful body must be constituted in accordance with the laws of the State . And , as regards the Mark Degree fthis Grand
Lodge can only continue to reassert the principle ] , that Mark lodges have a right to a separate charter or warrant should they desire it , and ought not to be compulsorily merged in the more modern Degree of Royal Arch Mason . " As to the historical accuracy of the last statement , I would have thought that there could be no doubt whatever . A Committee of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of
Scotland reported in 1 S 65 : " In this country , from time immemorial , or long before the institution of the Grand Lodge of Scotland ( in 1736 ) , what is now known as the Mark Masters' Degree was wrought by the Operative lodges of St . John ' s Masonry . " In A . D . 1598 William Schaw , Master of Works to King James VI ., orders the marks of all masons to be inserted
in their work . In the seventeenth century Mother Kilwinning Lodge made members choose their marks , and charged them 4 s . each for the same . The Banff Operative Lodge gave the Mark Degree in 177 S . It was given at Durham in 1774 in a Craft lodge . There was no such thing as a Grand
Chapter till about 1760 , and the Royal Arch Masons of that date did not claim to work the Mark Degree , which , as I have shown , was worked in Craft lodges . The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland was not formed till 1 S 17 . It now works the Mark Degree in conjunction with the Craft Grand Lodge . —I am , dear Sir . and Brother , yours fraternally , A MARK MASTER MASON .
PROVINCIAL KALENDARS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I quite agree with Bro . Lloyd in his letter , as published in the Freemason of the 6 th inst ., as to the Immediate Past Master of a lodge not being an actual officer of the lodge , and that the I . P . M . should not be included
amongst the officers of the lodge , either in the Provincial Calendars or in the list of officers usually published by the lodge . But if this be an irregularity , what are we to say to the appointment and investment of an I . P . M . at the
consecration of a new lodge , when such an officer could not possibly exist . ' I have noticed this anomaly on several occasions within the past few years , but it is an innovation of a recent date , and should be dealt with accordingly . —Yours fraternally , ROBERT CASE , P . M . 417 , Prov . G . Sec . Dorset . Dorchester , 13 th June . e ^ fa ^ p ^^
Reviews
REVIEWS
THE MAGAZINES . THE ILLUSTRATED NAVAL AND MILITARY MAGAZINE . No . 12 . Vol . II . The June number of this technical and interesting magazine for the Service comes before us with great freedom of letterpress and effect of illustration . It contains much that is important for the soldier , the sailor , the militiaman ,
and the volunteer to master and realize , and a perusal will certainly afford both information and pleasure to all whose proclivities or duties lie that way . Without being "Jingoes" or " peace-at-any-price parties . " We think all that tends to help on the thoroughness and
efficiency of our great Services , extends scientific information , or advances technical proficiency , deserves encouragement and commendation . Soldiers and sailors and volunteers ought to be educated up to their work and for their work , in fact now there is little room for the ignorant or "faineant . " Recent episodes show us how a little ignorance , carelessness , " laissez faire , " may sacrifice
Reviews
invaluable lives ; and as the greatest merit of the true commander is to save his men ' s lives and not to lose them , all that assists to make the soldier of all ranks " au fait " to his duty and work will always find laudatory mention in the pages of the Freemason .
Masonic Notes And Queies.
Masonic Notes and Queies .
610 ] THE BATTLE OF THE GRADES . Some time back I took occasion to protest that Bro . Gould and I were not at one on the question of Degrees prior to 1717 . I think it only right to mention that , since he has developed his views in Vol . IV ., the only point of importance on which we are now at variance is the age of the Hiramic Legend . I hope to give expression to my own opinion before very long . Bro . Gould has ably argued his case , but I am inclined to think has overlooked a few points . G . VV . SPETH .
611 J THE MARK DEGREE . As the Editor of the Freemason truly remarks , there is neither necessity nor propriety " in merging the Mark Degree in the Royal Arch , " so far as this country is concerned . Those who desired its recognition by the Grand Lodge of England , some 30 years ago , would be among the first now to decline that honour , not only because absorption mould
ultimately mean extinction , but also because the " Articles of Union " decidedly bar any such action . The position of the " United Grand Lodge of England" is logical and most Masonic by extending toleration , but not recognition , to any Degrees save the first three , including the Royal Arch ; leaving the brethren to find out for themselves those additional Degrees which are worthy of support . A sure
indication , or test , I suggest , is to examine the registers of members , and note the Masonic character and standing of their adherents . The report of the " Mark Grand Lodge , " which is fraternally alluded to by the Editor , is , I should think , intended to apply to the custom of choosing a mark , not to the Mark Degree . I quite think , with that report , that English Mark lodges have a right at the present time
to a separate charter or warrant . I do not , however , consider the " Mark Masters , " as a Degree , is of more antiquity than the " Royal Arcli , " but more probably junior in point of age . So far as we can trace the Mark , the earliest minute is of 1774 ( to which I referred last week ) , whereas the earliest known of the Royal Arch records is 1762 , added to which , the latter is noted in a work of 1744 . I
expect to hear of earlier minutes of the "Mark" before long , if brethren will carefully examine old records of Craft lodges , as Bro . Logan has so lately done . The Mark Degree is of special value , because of its preservation of the very ancient custom of choosing marks—a custom that is really ancient ; whereas the Degree of Royal Arch and other Masonic Degrees cannot lay claim to records beyond
the last century . Speculative Masons selected marks in the seventeenth century , as we know , and had them registered side by side with the Operatives . The Regulations of 159 S ( Schaw's ) provided for mark books being kept , and with all the old Scottish lodges the selection of marks , even in modern days , was _ considered a necessary part of the initiation and " passing , " hence the attachment to
Mark Masonry in Scotland , and its recognition by the Grand Lodge of that country . Bro . Gould ' s valuable history should be consulted , also Bro . Lyon's noble work . My opinion is that Mark Masonry antedates the formation of RoyalArch Grand Chapters , and therefore the members can fairly claim to work it apart from , though in friendship with , all Grand Chapters . Still , as a Degree it is modern , as with all Degrees ; at least , such is my opinion . W . J . HUGHAN .
612 ] DEGREE TERMINOLOGY . " Masonic Student" wishes extracts from lodge minutes of the use of technical words before 1 750 ; here is one from the Kelso Lodge minute book : " Kelso , December 28 th , 1741 . " Sederunt , " The Society of free and acceptedMassones in Kelso who entered John Forbers , John Linning , Andrew Kerr , and William Kerr , and passed William Mather , Robt .
McLwraith , Bartly Ramsay , Andrew Aitchisone , John Laidlaw , James Howey , William Kerr , Henry Nilsonc , William Douglass , James Corbett , and George Hardy . " Thomas Waitt , by p lurality of votes , was nominatt Master , James Potts , Wairden , and Wm . Mather , Boxmaster . " If I had time 1 would no doubt be able to make other extracts , but the above may help to swell the evidence required by " Masonic Student . " W . FRED . VERNON .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
© raft jfcouvg .
RANELAGH LODGE ( No . 834 ) . —A meeting of this large and highly prosperous lodge took place at the Criterion Resturant , Regent ' s-circus , W ., on Tuesday , the 9 th inst . Among those present were Bros . Sims , W . M . ; Dipson , S . W . ; Blake , J . W . ; John Tuck , Sec . ; Coplestone , S . D . ; Williams , l . D . 5 Broadbridge , I . G . ; Walkley , Tyler ; Shaw , P . ' M . ; Ellingford , P . M . ; H .
Purdue , I . P . M . ; Fisher , P . M . ; W . E . Purdue , J . J . West , P . M ., Waller , Cooney , Mayhew , Perrett , Holland , Newland , May , Oliver , P . M ., Chambers , Lake , Cliburn , Iredale , Philips , Southwood , and others . The lodge was openel promptly at 5 o ' clock , when there was a large number of the brethren assembled . The
minutes of the installation and emergency meetings having been confirmed , Bros . Mayhew and Perrett , candid ates for passing , were then examined and entrusted . The ballot was then taken for Mr . Lucas , a candidate for initiation , which proved unanimous . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree ; Bros . Mayhew and Perrett , being properl y prepared , were admitted and passed to the Degree of F . C . Bros . Kemp and Eason , candidates for raising , were then