Prov. Grand Mark Lodge Of Lancashire (S.C.)

PROV . GRAND MARK LODGE OF LANCASHIRE ( S . C . )

The S . G . R . A . Chapter of Scotland having been p leased to appoint Bro . Thomas Entwisle as Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons in Lancashire , his installation was fixed for Saturday , the 13 th instant . The St . Andrew ' s Lodge , 22 , held an emergency meeting at three o'clock at Freemasons' Hall ,

Manchester . The lodge was opened punctually at the hour fixed , by the R . W . M ., Bro . C . F . Matier , assisted by his officers . The circular calling the meeting * was read , and several candidates were balloted for ; three of them being in attendance ( Bros . Sallon , P . M ., Lightbourne , and Simpson ) , were introduced and advanced to the degree of

Mark Master by the R . W . M . The candidates having received the secrets , retired a few minutes , and on their return Bro . John Mitchell , P . M . Mk . No . 2 , took the chair and delivered the lecture of the degree in a highly effective manner . After the working tools had been presented the candidates received the congratulatory charge from Br . Mitchell .

Bro . C . F . Matier then resumed the chair , and having briefly stated to the brethren the reason of the convocation of the lodges in the province , called upon the acting P . G . Sec . to read the summons . It was then announced that the P . G . M . M . nominate was in attendance , and desired to be installed . The R . W . M accordingly ordered a deputation of

eight Past Masters and four Wardens to conduct the P . G . M . into the lodge . The procession was formed by Bros . Whyatt and Hopkins , and on arriving at the pedestal opened right and left to permit the P . G . M . M . to advance to the East . Bro . G . P . Brockbank , the oldest P . M . Mk . in the province , then presented the P . G . M . M .-nominate for

installation . The patent of appointment was read , and the oath de fideli duly administered by Bro . Matier , who then placed the P . G . M . M . in the chair , and proclaimed him in due form . The brethren having saluted the P . G . M . M . with the proper honours , he proceeded to open the Provincial Grand Marie Lodge .

The first business was the nomination of officers , and the following brethren were appointed : — Bro . C . Fitzgerald Matier , R . W . M . 22 D . P . G . M . M . „ G . Parker Brockbank , P . M . 2 ... P . S . G . W . „ John Mitchell , P . M . 2 P . J . G . W . „ John Parry Piatt , P . M . 5 ... P . G . M O . „ William P . Mills , P . M . 5 ... P . G . S . O . „ Wm . Relph , R . W . M-elect 24 ... P . G . J . O .

„ Josiah W . Taylor , R . W . M . 2 ... P . G . Sec . „ Lieut .-Col . Birchall , P . M . 2 ... P . G . S . of Wks . „ John Adam Whyatt , L W . 22 ... P . G . D . of C . „ Wm . II . Hopkins , J . O . 22 ... P . G . A . D . of C . ,, Rev . E . A . Lang , Chaplain 22 ... P . G . Chaplain . „ Thomas Ambler . P . M . 5 P . G . S . D . ,, Dr . Allison , S . W .-nominate 24 ... P . G . l . D . „ H . T . Robberds , T . K . 2 P . G . O .

„ Wm . George Turner , M . O . 22 ... P . G . S . B . „ Edward Friend , Sec . 5 P . G . T . K . „ W . H . Pratt ' „ James Parr , jun > P . G . Stewards . ,, Simeon Sampson ) Bro . George Galloway , P . M . 2 , was unanimously elected P . G . Treasurer , and Bro . William Dawson P . G . Tvler .

After the officers had been duly invested with the collars and jewels of their respective offices , and saluted according to their rank , thc following * resolution was proposed by thc D . P . G . M . M ., seconded by the P . G . SEC , and carried unanimously -, — " That a yearly sum of 2 s . per annum be payable

by each subscribing member to Provincial Grand Mark Lodge . One moiety of this to be devoted to the necessary expenses , and thc other to form a nucleus of a charity fund , to be dispensed as thc P . G . M . Lodge shall deem fit . " Proposed by thc D . P . G . M . M ., seconded bv

H . I . H . Prince RHODOCAN . VK . IS , and carried unanimously - . — " That a sum . of 2 s . 6 d . shall be paid to P . G . M . Lodge for each advancement , and is . for each affiliation . " It was also resolved unanimously : — " That any P . G . M . Officer absent from his post in P . G . M .

Lodge , without a reasonable and proper apology , shall be fined 105 . 6 d . " The remainder of the business was then transacted , and thc P . G . M . Lodge closed in due form and with solemn prayer . The membjrs of P . G . M . Lodge having retired ,

hearty good wishes were given to St . Andrew ' s Lodge from Nos . 2 , 5 , 24 ( S . C ) , and several lodges under the English Constitution . Several notices of motion were given , and the labours of thc evening being ended , the St . Andrew ' s Lodge was duly closed .

The brethren then proceeded to the banqueting hall , where they partook of a plain but substantial repast , provided by the Freemasons' Club . Thc chair was taken by Bro . Thos . Entwisle , iS ' , P . G . M . M ., and the duties of vice-chairman were efficiently discharged by Bro . Wm . Wayne , S . W . 22 . At the cross tables we noticed Bros . C . F . Matier , 30 , D . P . G . M . M . ; Fred . Binckes , 30 ,

Prov. Grand Mark Lodge Of Lancashire (S.C.)

G . S . G . M . Lodge of England ; H . I . H . Prince Rhodocanakis , 33 ; G . P . Brockbank , 18 , P . S . G . W . ; John Mitchell , P . G . J . W . ; Parry Piatt , iS ° , P . G . M . O . ; Fiiend , P . M ., & c , e "_ c . Among the visitors were Bros . Roberts ( P . M ) , Ashworth ( P . M . ) , Hargreaves ( W . M . Mark Lodge ,

Haslingden ) , & c , & c . The toasts of " The Queen" and of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family , " were proposed by the P . G . M . M ., and duly honoured by the brethren . The next toast was the " M . E . Grand Principals

Office Bearers , and Members of thc S . G . R . A . Chapter of Scotland , " which was briefly responded to by Bro . MATIER , who read several letters of apology from distinguished companions who were prevented from being present , among others , the Earl of Rosslyn , Capt . Morland , Alex . Hay , Esq .,

& c , & c . The toast of" The M . W . G . M . and Grand Lodge of England" was replied to by Bro . FREDERICK BINCKES , Past Grand Steward , who took occasion to mention the peculiarly delicate position in which he was then placed , as the official representative of

the G . M . L . of England , present at a hostile demonstration , and he might almost say in the enemy ' s camp . He assured the brethren that while deploring and regretting the fact of a foreign jurisdiction , he was exceedingly pleased to be present , as it showed that the Mark degree was appreciated and

beloved in Lancashire , and as he always believed in the maxim , Fas est ab hoste doceri , he would use still more strenuous exertions to secure the great desideratum of unity . He ( Br . Binckes ) trusted that ere long the difficulties surrounding the Mark Degree would all vanish , and that on some future occasion

he might address the brethren , not as an alien and an enemy , but as a trusted and trustworthy adviser and friend . ( Bro . Binckes was loudly applauded throughout his speech , and was received with great cordiality by the brethren . ) The toast of " Bro . Legendre Starkie , and the

P . G . Officers of East Lancashire , Past and Present , " was responded to by Bro . W . M . RODERTS , P . P . G . P . The toast ofthe evening then followed , -ind was proposed by Bro . MATIER , who said : R . W . Shand Brethren , in rising to propose the toast I have been called onto do , I assure vou I do so with feelings

of the greatest pleasure mingled with pain . Pleasure and pride at the honour done me , pain and fear at my own lack of ability to do justice to such a theme as " The Health and Prosperity of our R . W . P . G . M . M ., Bro . Thomas Entwisle ; " " but you , brethren , must take the will for the deed , and

forgiving me for my rudeness of sp : cch and unpolished periods , see only in my words the earnest desire to offer to our P . G . M . M . that homage to which his merits have so justly entitled him . But I do not think that even this is necessary . Bro . Entwisle is nit a creation of yesterday in the Masonic world . He is

not a stranger among you , but a living refutation of the axiom , "A prophet has no honour in his own country . " For upwards of twenty years Bro . Entwisle has laboured in the cause of Mark Masonry , and when , some fourteen or fifteen years ago , the Grand Craft Lodge of England refused to have

anything to do with thc Mark degree , and before the formation of that body which is so ably represented by our hostile friend and friendly foe , Bro . Binckes , Bro . Entwisle , in conjunction with Bros . ttrockbvik nnd Mitchell , applied to thc S . C . Chapter of Scotland , as thc onlv Masonic body in

authority over the degree , for a warrant . This was granted , and the St . John ' s Lodge , of Bolton , was founded by these three brethren ( may I call them " The Dauntless Three ? " ) , and received thc number 2 , St . Mark's Lodge , No . t , has been dormant for years , and therefore the St . John ' s Lodge is thc

oldest warranted Mark Lodge in England , and , indeed , I may say , in the world . Since that time thc St . John's has flourished and prospered , and has been the mother of all thc lodges of Mark Masters in Lancashire ; and it is to Bro . Entwisle we are indebted for this happy consummation . I will

not longer detain you , but ask you to pledge the R . W . P . G . M . M . in a bumper , and wish him long life , health , and prosperity in bis new officc . an eminence to which he has truly risen by merit . Brethren , let us drink the health ofthe P . G . M . M . On the P . G . M . M . rising to reply , he was

interrupted for some minutes by the cheering of the brethren , and on order being restored , thanked them in a few well-chosen remarks . He mentioned that , although the warrant of tlie St . John's Lodge from Scotland only dated from 1856 , in reality it is a time-immemorial lodge , as they actually possess

minutes from 1797 ; and concluded by saying ; However much we may desire union , I am of opinion that the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter , to whom we owe fidelity , can alone release us of our allegiance to her .

Bro . FREDERICK . BINCKES then requested permi-sion to give the next toast on the programme , " The Health of Bro . C . F . Matier , thc Deputy Prov . G . M . M ., " and mentioned that , although Bro . Matier and he could not agree on the question of

Prov. Grand Mark Lodge Of Lancashire (S.C.)

jurisdiction , still they had agreed to differ ; and although in public he addressed Bro . Matier as his worst enemy , in private , he was happy to think , he could hail him as his best friend . Bro . Binckes alluded at some length to the D . P . G . M . M . 's services to the Mark degree , as the founder of the

St . Andrew ' s Lodge , nnd ns an author on the subject ; and concluded by wishing the D . P . G . M . M . every health and prosperity . ( The toast was received by the brethren with hearty good will . ) Thc Deputy P . G . M . M . said hewould simply thank Bro . Binckes for his kindness , and the brethren for

tbe honour they had done him in thus cordially endorsing the honour which the P . G . M . M . had so conspicuously conferred on him that day . He assurrcd them no effort should be spared on his part to render his services efficient in tlie cause of the Mark Degree .

The"Officersof the P . G . M . Lodge" was responded toby Bros . BROCKBANK , P . G . S . W , and MITCHELL , P . G . J . W . Bro . Brockbank was thc first R . W . M . of No . 2 , Bro . Entwisle the first S . W ., and Bro . Mitchell the first J . W . The toast of " The Masters , Past Masters , and

Officers of Mark Lodges in the Province , " was proposed by Bro . ROBERTS , P . M ., and responded to by Bro . J . W . TAYLOR , R . W . M . No . 2 , and P . G . Secretary . The remaining toasts were " The Visitors , " " The P . G . M . Stewards , " and " All Poor ancl

Distressed Mark Masters . Bro . J . A . Whyatt , P . G . D . of C , most efficiently discharged his duties , and acted as toastmaster during the evening . The harmony of the evening was considerably

enhanced by some excellent singing , among which we must particularise a Lancashire poem , rendered to perfection by Bro . Sampson , and a capital comic song by Bro . Mitchell . The brethren separated at an early hour , much pleased with the entire proceedings .

THE Fifteen Sections will be worked at the United Pilgrims Lodge of Instruction , the Duke of Edinburgh , Shepherd's-lane , Brixton , on Friday evening next , at six o ' clock precisely , Bro . J . Thomas , P . M ., P . G . D . C . G . C , will preside .

FAITH LODGE OF INSTRUCTION . —Thc above Lodge of Instruction is held every Tuesday evening , at 8 o'clock , in the spacious and commodious rooms at Bro . Fisher's Restaurant , Metropolitan District Railway Station , Victoria , S . W . Ceremonies and

lectures worked every Tuesday , except the fourth Tuesday in thc month , when the ceremonies alone are rehearsed . The Domatic Chapter of Instruction is also held in the above rooms every Friday evening at 8 o ' clock , from October until April inclusive .

WE understand from Bro . Hughan that the able Scottish Masonic historian , Bro . D . Murray Lyon , is progressing favourably with thc history of the Lodge of Edinburgh ( Mary ' s Chapel ) from the sixteenth century to the present time . It is likely to be published by subscription , and will be dedicated tothe M . W . Bro . the Earl of Dalhousie , K . T ., Grand

Master Mason of Scotland , by his lordship ' s gracious permission . We anticipate great things from thc publication of this work , as the records arc very valuable and full of interest . Particulars will be published in due course . THE degree of "Bachelor" of Laws has been con ferred on a married lady in America , Mrs .

Kcpley , the wife of Mr . II . B . Kcp ' . ey , a practising lawyer of Effingham , in Chicago . GRADES OF RANK . —Many persons have endeavoured to substantiate their objections 10 the institution of Freemasonry , from the admitted dogma that its members meet on a level ; whence they conclude that the system abolishes all human distinctions , and promises to

disorganize society , and reduce it lo its primitive elements . But il docs no such thing . There is , in fa : t , no other institution where the grades cf rank are betlvi- defined and preserved . The W . M . sits in the cast . For what purpose is he placed there ? Why , lo rule ami govern his lodge . And he is invested with power even to despotism , should he consider it safe lo use it , and ihe Wardens are

his assistants , not his equals . Each has his particular duly assigned lo him , and beyond that he has no ri ^ ht to interfere . The next grade are the Deacons . And what is their duty ? Not , surely , to rank in equality with the Masters and Wardens , but to perform the part of inferiors in office , to carry messages and commands . It is ( heir province to attend on the Master , and to assist the

Wardens in the active duties of the lodge , such as the reception of candidates into thc different degrees of Masonry , and the immediate practice of our riles . This is the bus '« ness of the Deacons ; and by its punctual discharge , the office becomes a stepping stone to further preferment : for as it is incumbent on a brother to serve thc office of a

Warden , before lie is eligible for the chair of a lodge , so it would be well if the oliiec of a Deacon were preparatory lo that of a Warden . The Treasurer , the Secretary , the Stewards , ihe Inner Guard , and the Tyler , have all their respective duties to perform and rank to support ; while the brethren are bound to obey the will and pleasure of the W . M .