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Article A MASONIC TOUR. ← Page 2 of 2 Article MARK MASONRY. Page 1 of 1 Article MARK MASONRY. Page 1 of 1 Article MARK MASONRY. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Masonic Tour.
no life , stir , or trade—all too plainly proving how terribly deep are the wounds and loss sustained through the war by poor Richmond . I start for the West to-morrow ; you will probablj * hear of me from Chicago or Niagara . Ere closing , let me describe the American " cars . " They are
about 50 X 10 , double the size of ours ; have watercloset , stove , water , washhand-stand , towel , and mirror in each end . In the winter hot-air pipes all round and under the feet . The seats ( for two peisons ) are on each side , and have reversable , wellcushioned backs , so that four friends can sit and
enjoy a chat together . The seats are covered with velvet of various colours , bound with German silver or brass , the inside and out being most elaborately ornamented , painted , & c . There is a window opposite each seat , of which there are fifteen on either side , so that sixty passengers travel in each
" car . " A door in each end , and a passage in the centre , permits going from end to end of train . A smoking car , drawing-room ditto , and on longjourney trains , a sleeping and a dining car accompanies the train . The latter are palaces , and will be noticed in my next . The smoking car , besides
usual accommodation , have card tables and easy chairs , and in fact every comfort for gentlemen ; so that between smoking , cards , and pleasant , easy corners , time flies . Smoking , however , is only allowed . in this car , the Americans being most strict on this and other points of etiquette . I have now
travelled nearly 40 c miles by railway , and never seen the slightest act of rudeness ; smoking or spitting in non-smoking cars ( which we hear so much of at home ) would subject the offender to expulsion and loss of fare . You meet and travel here with the best of society , all being equal in the United
States , yet I have never seen or even heard of anything that the most delicate or fastidious would or could object to . Travelling here is a luxury that we at home , in our comfortless hencoops or cold horseboxes , are strangers to . Adieu for the present . F . J .
Mark Masonry.
MARK MASONRY .
CONSECRATION OF THE HOLMESDALE LODGE , No . 129 , AT RAMSGATE . The brethren of Ramsgate , ever energetic and efficient in the performance of their duties , whether as Craft or Arch Masons , have completed the good work of universal Masonry by inaugurating , with perfect success and great eclat , on the 20 th inst ., the Mark Master's degree in that part of the Province of Kent .
Bro . F . Binckes , the G . S ., being nominated by the M . W . G . M . to consecrate the lodge , he , as W . M ., assisted hy Bro . Loewenstark , P . G . I . G . as S . W ., and Bro . R . Boncey , P . M . 86 , as J . W ., opened the lodge , when the following brethren , after having been approved of by ballot , were
advanced to the honourable degree of Mark Master : —Bros . T . H . G . Snowden , P . M . 429 , P . Z . and P . P . G . J . W . ; B . Z . Hiscocks , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D ; the Rev . G . W . Sicklemore , Vicar , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W . ; John G . Ellerm , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W . ; J . J . Darby , W . M . 429 ; Henry
Wootton , J . W . 1209 ; John Mitchell , I . G . 1209 ; Capt . Sunkey , P . M . and P . Z . ; A . H . Boys , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; George Meager ; G . Osborne ; H . C . Furr , S . W . 120 S ; A . Gardner , W . M . 1206 . Bro . Viscount Holmesdale , M . W . P . G . M . M ., ( after whom the lodge is named ) , . having arrived ,
was received and saluted in due form . The ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with by Bro . Binckes , and in which the noble Lord assisted , Bro . the Rev . Sicklemore , the Vicar , acting as Chaplain . Bro . Viscount Holmesdale then presented Bro . George Neale ,
W . M .-designate , for installation , and he having answered the usual queries , all below the chair retired , and he was installed into thc chair of Adonhiram in the Board of Masters , and then appointed the following ofiicers : —L . Finch , P . P . G . D . C , S . W . ; W . M . Cavell , Mayor of
Deal , P . P . G . J . W , J . W . ; Rev . J . Sicklemore , Chap . ; Hiscocks , Sec . ; Snowden , M . O . ; Ellerm , S . O . ; Darby . J . O . ; Osborne , S . D .-Gardner , J . D . ; Mitchell , I . G . H . Wootton , was elected Treas . ; and G . Meager , Tyler . At the conclusion of the ceremonies , Bro . Binckes was loudly applauded for his perfect
working . Bro . Lord Holmesdale was proposed as an Honorary Member , but his Lordship remarked he would , if they had no objection , prefer to become a joining member if any one would kindly propose him as such . Bros . Binrkes and Loewenstark were elected Honorary Members , and a cordial vole of thanks was -iv . ti to them .
Mark Masonry.
The business of the lodge being over the brethren adjourned to the banqueting-room . The banquet was of the most recherche description , ancl the W . M ., supported on his right by Lord Holmesdale and on his left by Bro . Binckes , did the honours of the table as an old experienced Past Master . The visitors present were : Bros . R . Boncey ,
P . M . 86 ; 0 . Phillips , P . M ., P . Z ., P . P . G . S . W .
W . Stanley , and Capt . Burgess . The proceedings throughout were marked with considerable enthusiasm , and the whole of the arrangements were carefully and efficiently earned out . In fact many Grand Officers had been expected , and preparations made for their
reception in truly princely and Masonic style , and some slight disappointment was expressed at their absence , though apologies had been received . The charity-box was handed round , and produced two guineas , to he given to the
Boys School . It must be a source of congratulation to the Ramsgate brethren to have had so successful and auspicious an opening , and we wish them further success .
Royal Sussex Lodge , A o . 75 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Rooms , Royal Pavilion , Brighton . There was a good attendance of the members , and at 5 o ' clock p . m . the chair was taken by the W . M ., Bro . Thos . Cook . Two Craft Masons were elected as members for advancement , and Bro . Munday , of No . 6 Mark Lodge under the
Scotch Constitution , was elected a joining member and duly obligated under the English Constitution . Bros . H . Woollett ( 73 ) ancl G . Binary ( 315 ) , who had been elected at a previous meeting , were- regularly introduced and advanced to the degree of Murk Master Masons . The chair was then taken by Bro . Cunningham , P . G . J . O ., and Bro . Thos . J . Sabine , P . G . A . D . C , presented
Bro . W . Hudson , P . M . 315 Craft Lodge and P . P . G . D . Sussex , the S . W . and W . M .-elect , to be installed into the chair of Adonhiram according to ancient usage , after which ceremony the newlv-installed W . M . invested his officers as follows : —Bros . T . Cook , I . P . M . ; S . R . Ade , S . W . ; J . Robinson , J . W . ,- G . R . Lockyer , Treas . ; J . Curtis , Sec ; Hornsey , M . O . ; Berry , S . O . ; Cowley , J . O . ;
Ebherall , S . D . ; Slattcr , J . D . ; J . N . Stoner , I . G . ; J . M . Cunningham , Chaplain ; Thcs . J . Sabine , D . C ; Pearson ami II . Woollett , Stewards . The address to the Master was given hy the Installing Master , and those to the Wardens and Overseers hy Bro . T . J . Sabine . The installation ceremony was brought to a close with the genera ! address to the members . The report of the Audit
Committee , which showed that tlie financial position of the lodge is good and the number of members steadily increasing , was then received and adopted . All business having been disposed of , the lodge was closed in perfect harmony at 7 o ' clock , and the brethren , to the number of twenty , adjourned to the Terminus Motel ( Iiro . Pearson ' s ) where a banquet of most excellent quality was supplied .
All present were earnest in their praise of the catering anil the excellent quality of thc wines , proving that the fame of ( his well-known hotel has not been raised upon imperfect experience . The cloth having been cleared and thc dessert placed on the table , the W . M ., Bio . W . Hudson , gave the toasts always honoured on such occasions . In proposing " The
health uf the Grand Master of the Order , Iiro . the Rev . O . I " , Portal , he said he had had only one opportunity of visiting the Grand Lodge of Mark Masons , and the manner in which he was received , thc intelligent method of conducting the business , and thc very fraternal manner in which every subject was discussed most deeply impressed him , and lie would advise every Mark Mason to seek an
opportunity of attending Grand Mark Ledge , thc great privilege of so doing being ( so he understood ) granted lo every Mark Master Mason who was a subscribing member of a lodge , whether in office or not . ( The toast was received and honoured with hearty applause . ) The W . M . next proposed " The health of thc Deputy Grand Master of the Order , Bro . the Earl Percy , ami the
Grand Officers present and past . " In reference to this toast , thc W . M . said : Brethren , I can assure you that our noble brother the Earl Percy is , 1 faithfully believe , nclunlcd by a sincere desire lo promote Mark Masonry in all its purity and to render the Order a model Order -, and 1 am sure that assisted by such Grand Ofiicers as were assembled in Grand Mark Lodge on the occasion just now
referred to by me , all of whom appeared to be possessed of one feeling—that of so placing this Order before the Masonic world as should demand the respect of all true Masons . In my own mind I am certain that the brethren present to-night will readily testify with me to the merits of our excellent brothers Cunningham and Sabine . The latter was one of the original founders of this lodge , the
former is one of its most active and useful members , and boll * . through good and evil rcpoit have ever stood firmly and faithfully by ihe Koyal Sussex Lodge , have helped on its success in every way ami in every respect ( hear , hear ) , and thoroughly earned the honours which ihe R . W . G . M . was pleased lo confer upon them . ( The loast was drunk
with much enthuaiasm . ) Bro . Cunningham , P . M . 75 , P . G . J . O ., in reply , said that from the clay of his advancement into the privileges of Mark Masonry until the present moment he was deeply impressed with the great importance and ihe line Masonic value of this the most beautiful and instructive of all the
Mark Masonry.
degrees in Freemasonry . Its teachings were of the most exalted character , its tendencies of the most moral kind , its influences of the most benevolent stamp , and its practices of the most generous disposition towards the wants and necessities of the poorer and more distressed brethren . There were those in the ranks of Craft Masonry , holding high provincial-office and exercising great authority in
matters relating thereto , who were pleased to go so far as to call Mark Masons impostors and their degree a sham ; but such brethren knew little of them or their Order , and it was much to be regretted that such a narrow-minded and bigoted spirit should be displayed , and that so much influential authority should be exercised in disparagement of this Order . He claimed and would assert that every
Mark Master Mason was as good , if not better , than anv other Mason , and if every Craft Mason was also a Mark Mason he would be the better for it . ( A pplause . ) For my own part ( lie continued ) , I thank you most sincerely for the honour you have paid our Grand Mark Lodge and me as one of its humble members , and you may rely that my best endeavours , my best effortsand my best
in-, fluence will ever be devoted to Mark Masonry in general and to the Royal Sussex Lodge in particular , and to the spreading of knowledge in connection with Mark Master Masonry . ( Loud applause . ) Bro . T . J . Sabine , P . M . 22 , P . G . A . D . C , ( upon the unanimous call of the brethren ) , rose and thanked them on behalf of the Grand Officers present and past . It was
true , most faithfully true , he had stood loyally by the lodge since its was first established . It had been a task requiring great patience , and he was sorry to say , in many instances , great forbearance , in consequence ofthe unwise opposition that Bro . Turner , the late deeply-lamented Bro . Goulty , and himself had to encounter . It was a true saying that " a man who can afford to wait is sure to
succeed . " He had waited for , and watched over , the fortunes of this lodge , and he was indeed rewarded to find that the number of subscribing members exceeded forty , and that they worked so well and worthily together . The records of Grand Lodge proved beyond a doubt that Mark Masonry was making rapid progress . Every month new lodges were being opened in all parts of the world .
All the leading members of Grand Craft Lodge of England were members of the Order ; the present Deputy Grand Master , Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , was a Past Grand Master of Mark Masons ; and on the muster-roll of the Grand Mark Lodge of England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown are enrolled all the most illustrious names of those who have
distinguished themselves in Craft Masonry . Let any impartial brother search and compare the respective muster-rolls of thc two Grand Lodges referred to , and he would be at once convinced of the truth of what he ( Bro . Sabine ) had stated . Mark Masons paid this respect to Craft Masonry—no one could be advanced to the honourable degree of a Mark Master unless he had previously been advanced to that of
Master Mason . Bro . Sabine concluded thus : My past devotion to this lodge—my faithful adherence to Grand Mark Lodge , of which I have the distinguished honour of being a Past Grand Officer—is the most earnest assurance I can give you as to what my devotion shall be in the future , and before resuming my scat permit mc to say that the time is not far distant when Sussex shall be constituted
a Grand Province under the Grand Mark Lodge of England . ( Great applause . ) Thc W . M . then presented , in the name of the lodge , a very handsome P . M . ' s jewel lo the retiring W . M , It bears thc following inscription : — " Presented to Bro . Thomas Cook , for his valuable and efficient services to the Royal Sussex Lodge of Mark Master Masons , No . 75 , E . G .,
previous to , but more especially during , his year of office as W . M . 1 S 70-71 . " Bro . Cook suitably returned thanks . Various other toasts were proposed and responded to , and the brethren separated just before 12 o ' clock , having most thoroughly enjoyed the annual celebration of the establishment of the first and only lodge of Mark Masonry in the county of Suffolk .
Wl-sTON-surF . K-MARF .. —Marl . - Lodge , No . 102 . —The annual meeting of this flourishing lodge was held at the Carnarvon llall , Regent-street , Weston-super-Mare , on Wednesday evening , the 151 I 1 inst ., when there was a good assemblage of M . M . TM . ' s present . In thc absence of the W . M . of the lodge ( Bro . General Mimbce ) from indisposition , Bro . Capt . Irwin , the I J . I ' . Gr Master ( designate )
ofthe Province , presided . After the customary formalities and thc transaction of sundry matters of business , Bro . J . C . . Sharp , P . M . Craft , and P . P . G . S . of Works , of Ilminstcr , was admitted and advanced to the degree of M . M . Mason , the D . G . P . M . Irwin and officers conducting Ihe elaborate ceremonial in splendid form . The visiting brethren present from Bath , Bristol , Brislington ,
& c ., expressed themselves highly pleased with the form of working . Bro . Frederick Vizard , P . M . Craft , and Prov . G . S . of Works , was then duly inaugurated as W . M . of ibis Mark Lodge , 102 . The W . M ., Bro . Vizard , then appointed his officers for the ensuing year as follows : — Bros . W . II . Davies , S . W . ; Benjamin Cox , J . W . ; Rev . R . II . Rigsby , Chap . ; Capt . John Townsend , Treas . ;
C . II . Whereat , Sec . : E . T . Inskip , Reg . of Marks ; S . Jones , M . O . ; E . Gregory , S . O . ; A . W . Butter , J . O . ; R . C . Else , S . D . ; E . II . Swetc , Af . D ., Org . ; Major Vizard , I . G . ; and W \ T . Male , Tyler . A large number of Craft Masons were proposed for advancement at the
next meeting , and other matters of business having been discussed , the W . M . closed the lodge , after seeing that every brother had received his just due . The brethren then adjourned to the York hote ) , and after thc banquet , various speeches followed , the brethren separating at an early hour .
Reports of the meetings of the Provincial Grand Lodge of . Middkv . c- ; , Mount Sinai Chapter of Instruction , & K ., and several reviews are reluctantly poslpined .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Masonic Tour.
no life , stir , or trade—all too plainly proving how terribly deep are the wounds and loss sustained through the war by poor Richmond . I start for the West to-morrow ; you will probablj * hear of me from Chicago or Niagara . Ere closing , let me describe the American " cars . " They are
about 50 X 10 , double the size of ours ; have watercloset , stove , water , washhand-stand , towel , and mirror in each end . In the winter hot-air pipes all round and under the feet . The seats ( for two peisons ) are on each side , and have reversable , wellcushioned backs , so that four friends can sit and
enjoy a chat together . The seats are covered with velvet of various colours , bound with German silver or brass , the inside and out being most elaborately ornamented , painted , & c . There is a window opposite each seat , of which there are fifteen on either side , so that sixty passengers travel in each
" car . " A door in each end , and a passage in the centre , permits going from end to end of train . A smoking car , drawing-room ditto , and on longjourney trains , a sleeping and a dining car accompanies the train . The latter are palaces , and will be noticed in my next . The smoking car , besides
usual accommodation , have card tables and easy chairs , and in fact every comfort for gentlemen ; so that between smoking , cards , and pleasant , easy corners , time flies . Smoking , however , is only allowed . in this car , the Americans being most strict on this and other points of etiquette . I have now
travelled nearly 40 c miles by railway , and never seen the slightest act of rudeness ; smoking or spitting in non-smoking cars ( which we hear so much of at home ) would subject the offender to expulsion and loss of fare . You meet and travel here with the best of society , all being equal in the United
States , yet I have never seen or even heard of anything that the most delicate or fastidious would or could object to . Travelling here is a luxury that we at home , in our comfortless hencoops or cold horseboxes , are strangers to . Adieu for the present . F . J .
Mark Masonry.
MARK MASONRY .
CONSECRATION OF THE HOLMESDALE LODGE , No . 129 , AT RAMSGATE . The brethren of Ramsgate , ever energetic and efficient in the performance of their duties , whether as Craft or Arch Masons , have completed the good work of universal Masonry by inaugurating , with perfect success and great eclat , on the 20 th inst ., the Mark Master's degree in that part of the Province of Kent .
Bro . F . Binckes , the G . S ., being nominated by the M . W . G . M . to consecrate the lodge , he , as W . M ., assisted hy Bro . Loewenstark , P . G . I . G . as S . W ., and Bro . R . Boncey , P . M . 86 , as J . W ., opened the lodge , when the following brethren , after having been approved of by ballot , were
advanced to the honourable degree of Mark Master : —Bros . T . H . G . Snowden , P . M . 429 , P . Z . and P . P . G . J . W . ; B . Z . Hiscocks , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D ; the Rev . G . W . Sicklemore , Vicar , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W . ; John G . Ellerm , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W . ; J . J . Darby , W . M . 429 ; Henry
Wootton , J . W . 1209 ; John Mitchell , I . G . 1209 ; Capt . Sunkey , P . M . and P . Z . ; A . H . Boys , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; George Meager ; G . Osborne ; H . C . Furr , S . W . 120 S ; A . Gardner , W . M . 1206 . Bro . Viscount Holmesdale , M . W . P . G . M . M ., ( after whom the lodge is named ) , . having arrived ,
was received and saluted in due form . The ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with by Bro . Binckes , and in which the noble Lord assisted , Bro . the Rev . Sicklemore , the Vicar , acting as Chaplain . Bro . Viscount Holmesdale then presented Bro . George Neale ,
W . M .-designate , for installation , and he having answered the usual queries , all below the chair retired , and he was installed into thc chair of Adonhiram in the Board of Masters , and then appointed the following ofiicers : —L . Finch , P . P . G . D . C , S . W . ; W . M . Cavell , Mayor of
Deal , P . P . G . J . W , J . W . ; Rev . J . Sicklemore , Chap . ; Hiscocks , Sec . ; Snowden , M . O . ; Ellerm , S . O . ; Darby . J . O . ; Osborne , S . D .-Gardner , J . D . ; Mitchell , I . G . H . Wootton , was elected Treas . ; and G . Meager , Tyler . At the conclusion of the ceremonies , Bro . Binckes was loudly applauded for his perfect
working . Bro . Lord Holmesdale was proposed as an Honorary Member , but his Lordship remarked he would , if they had no objection , prefer to become a joining member if any one would kindly propose him as such . Bros . Binrkes and Loewenstark were elected Honorary Members , and a cordial vole of thanks was -iv . ti to them .
Mark Masonry.
The business of the lodge being over the brethren adjourned to the banqueting-room . The banquet was of the most recherche description , ancl the W . M ., supported on his right by Lord Holmesdale and on his left by Bro . Binckes , did the honours of the table as an old experienced Past Master . The visitors present were : Bros . R . Boncey ,
P . M . 86 ; 0 . Phillips , P . M ., P . Z ., P . P . G . S . W .
W . Stanley , and Capt . Burgess . The proceedings throughout were marked with considerable enthusiasm , and the whole of the arrangements were carefully and efficiently earned out . In fact many Grand Officers had been expected , and preparations made for their
reception in truly princely and Masonic style , and some slight disappointment was expressed at their absence , though apologies had been received . The charity-box was handed round , and produced two guineas , to he given to the
Boys School . It must be a source of congratulation to the Ramsgate brethren to have had so successful and auspicious an opening , and we wish them further success .
Royal Sussex Lodge , A o . 75 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Rooms , Royal Pavilion , Brighton . There was a good attendance of the members , and at 5 o ' clock p . m . the chair was taken by the W . M ., Bro . Thos . Cook . Two Craft Masons were elected as members for advancement , and Bro . Munday , of No . 6 Mark Lodge under the
Scotch Constitution , was elected a joining member and duly obligated under the English Constitution . Bros . H . Woollett ( 73 ) ancl G . Binary ( 315 ) , who had been elected at a previous meeting , were- regularly introduced and advanced to the degree of Murk Master Masons . The chair was then taken by Bro . Cunningham , P . G . J . O ., and Bro . Thos . J . Sabine , P . G . A . D . C , presented
Bro . W . Hudson , P . M . 315 Craft Lodge and P . P . G . D . Sussex , the S . W . and W . M .-elect , to be installed into the chair of Adonhiram according to ancient usage , after which ceremony the newlv-installed W . M . invested his officers as follows : —Bros . T . Cook , I . P . M . ; S . R . Ade , S . W . ; J . Robinson , J . W . ,- G . R . Lockyer , Treas . ; J . Curtis , Sec ; Hornsey , M . O . ; Berry , S . O . ; Cowley , J . O . ;
Ebherall , S . D . ; Slattcr , J . D . ; J . N . Stoner , I . G . ; J . M . Cunningham , Chaplain ; Thcs . J . Sabine , D . C ; Pearson ami II . Woollett , Stewards . The address to the Master was given hy the Installing Master , and those to the Wardens and Overseers hy Bro . T . J . Sabine . The installation ceremony was brought to a close with the genera ! address to the members . The report of the Audit
Committee , which showed that tlie financial position of the lodge is good and the number of members steadily increasing , was then received and adopted . All business having been disposed of , the lodge was closed in perfect harmony at 7 o ' clock , and the brethren , to the number of twenty , adjourned to the Terminus Motel ( Iiro . Pearson ' s ) where a banquet of most excellent quality was supplied .
All present were earnest in their praise of the catering anil the excellent quality of thc wines , proving that the fame of ( his well-known hotel has not been raised upon imperfect experience . The cloth having been cleared and thc dessert placed on the table , the W . M ., Bio . W . Hudson , gave the toasts always honoured on such occasions . In proposing " The
health uf the Grand Master of the Order , Iiro . the Rev . O . I " , Portal , he said he had had only one opportunity of visiting the Grand Lodge of Mark Masons , and the manner in which he was received , thc intelligent method of conducting the business , and thc very fraternal manner in which every subject was discussed most deeply impressed him , and lie would advise every Mark Mason to seek an
opportunity of attending Grand Mark Ledge , thc great privilege of so doing being ( so he understood ) granted lo every Mark Master Mason who was a subscribing member of a lodge , whether in office or not . ( The toast was received and honoured with hearty applause . ) The W . M . next proposed " The health of thc Deputy Grand Master of the Order , Bro . the Earl Percy , ami the
Grand Officers present and past . " In reference to this toast , thc W . M . said : Brethren , I can assure you that our noble brother the Earl Percy is , 1 faithfully believe , nclunlcd by a sincere desire lo promote Mark Masonry in all its purity and to render the Order a model Order -, and 1 am sure that assisted by such Grand Ofiicers as were assembled in Grand Mark Lodge on the occasion just now
referred to by me , all of whom appeared to be possessed of one feeling—that of so placing this Order before the Masonic world as should demand the respect of all true Masons . In my own mind I am certain that the brethren present to-night will readily testify with me to the merits of our excellent brothers Cunningham and Sabine . The latter was one of the original founders of this lodge , the
former is one of its most active and useful members , and boll * . through good and evil rcpoit have ever stood firmly and faithfully by ihe Koyal Sussex Lodge , have helped on its success in every way ami in every respect ( hear , hear ) , and thoroughly earned the honours which ihe R . W . G . M . was pleased lo confer upon them . ( The loast was drunk
with much enthuaiasm . ) Bro . Cunningham , P . M . 75 , P . G . J . O ., in reply , said that from the clay of his advancement into the privileges of Mark Masonry until the present moment he was deeply impressed with the great importance and ihe line Masonic value of this the most beautiful and instructive of all the
Mark Masonry.
degrees in Freemasonry . Its teachings were of the most exalted character , its tendencies of the most moral kind , its influences of the most benevolent stamp , and its practices of the most generous disposition towards the wants and necessities of the poorer and more distressed brethren . There were those in the ranks of Craft Masonry , holding high provincial-office and exercising great authority in
matters relating thereto , who were pleased to go so far as to call Mark Masons impostors and their degree a sham ; but such brethren knew little of them or their Order , and it was much to be regretted that such a narrow-minded and bigoted spirit should be displayed , and that so much influential authority should be exercised in disparagement of this Order . He claimed and would assert that every
Mark Master Mason was as good , if not better , than anv other Mason , and if every Craft Mason was also a Mark Mason he would be the better for it . ( A pplause . ) For my own part ( lie continued ) , I thank you most sincerely for the honour you have paid our Grand Mark Lodge and me as one of its humble members , and you may rely that my best endeavours , my best effortsand my best
in-, fluence will ever be devoted to Mark Masonry in general and to the Royal Sussex Lodge in particular , and to the spreading of knowledge in connection with Mark Master Masonry . ( Loud applause . ) Bro . T . J . Sabine , P . M . 22 , P . G . A . D . C , ( upon the unanimous call of the brethren ) , rose and thanked them on behalf of the Grand Officers present and past . It was
true , most faithfully true , he had stood loyally by the lodge since its was first established . It had been a task requiring great patience , and he was sorry to say , in many instances , great forbearance , in consequence ofthe unwise opposition that Bro . Turner , the late deeply-lamented Bro . Goulty , and himself had to encounter . It was a true saying that " a man who can afford to wait is sure to
succeed . " He had waited for , and watched over , the fortunes of this lodge , and he was indeed rewarded to find that the number of subscribing members exceeded forty , and that they worked so well and worthily together . The records of Grand Lodge proved beyond a doubt that Mark Masonry was making rapid progress . Every month new lodges were being opened in all parts of the world .
All the leading members of Grand Craft Lodge of England were members of the Order ; the present Deputy Grand Master , Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , was a Past Grand Master of Mark Masons ; and on the muster-roll of the Grand Mark Lodge of England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown are enrolled all the most illustrious names of those who have
distinguished themselves in Craft Masonry . Let any impartial brother search and compare the respective muster-rolls of thc two Grand Lodges referred to , and he would be at once convinced of the truth of what he ( Bro . Sabine ) had stated . Mark Masons paid this respect to Craft Masonry—no one could be advanced to the honourable degree of a Mark Master unless he had previously been advanced to that of
Master Mason . Bro . Sabine concluded thus : My past devotion to this lodge—my faithful adherence to Grand Mark Lodge , of which I have the distinguished honour of being a Past Grand Officer—is the most earnest assurance I can give you as to what my devotion shall be in the future , and before resuming my scat permit mc to say that the time is not far distant when Sussex shall be constituted
a Grand Province under the Grand Mark Lodge of England . ( Great applause . ) Thc W . M . then presented , in the name of the lodge , a very handsome P . M . ' s jewel lo the retiring W . M , It bears thc following inscription : — " Presented to Bro . Thomas Cook , for his valuable and efficient services to the Royal Sussex Lodge of Mark Master Masons , No . 75 , E . G .,
previous to , but more especially during , his year of office as W . M . 1 S 70-71 . " Bro . Cook suitably returned thanks . Various other toasts were proposed and responded to , and the brethren separated just before 12 o ' clock , having most thoroughly enjoyed the annual celebration of the establishment of the first and only lodge of Mark Masonry in the county of Suffolk .
Wl-sTON-surF . K-MARF .. —Marl . - Lodge , No . 102 . —The annual meeting of this flourishing lodge was held at the Carnarvon llall , Regent-street , Weston-super-Mare , on Wednesday evening , the 151 I 1 inst ., when there was a good assemblage of M . M . TM . ' s present . In thc absence of the W . M . of the lodge ( Bro . General Mimbce ) from indisposition , Bro . Capt . Irwin , the I J . I ' . Gr Master ( designate )
ofthe Province , presided . After the customary formalities and thc transaction of sundry matters of business , Bro . J . C . . Sharp , P . M . Craft , and P . P . G . S . of Works , of Ilminstcr , was admitted and advanced to the degree of M . M . Mason , the D . G . P . M . Irwin and officers conducting Ihe elaborate ceremonial in splendid form . The visiting brethren present from Bath , Bristol , Brislington ,
& c ., expressed themselves highly pleased with the form of working . Bro . Frederick Vizard , P . M . Craft , and Prov . G . S . of Works , was then duly inaugurated as W . M . of ibis Mark Lodge , 102 . The W . M ., Bro . Vizard , then appointed his officers for the ensuing year as follows : — Bros . W . II . Davies , S . W . ; Benjamin Cox , J . W . ; Rev . R . II . Rigsby , Chap . ; Capt . John Townsend , Treas . ;
C . II . Whereat , Sec . : E . T . Inskip , Reg . of Marks ; S . Jones , M . O . ; E . Gregory , S . O . ; A . W . Butter , J . O . ; R . C . Else , S . D . ; E . II . Swetc , Af . D ., Org . ; Major Vizard , I . G . ; and W \ T . Male , Tyler . A large number of Craft Masons were proposed for advancement at the
next meeting , and other matters of business having been discussed , the W . M . closed the lodge , after seeing that every brother had received his just due . The brethren then adjourned to the York hote ) , and after thc banquet , various speeches followed , the brethren separating at an early hour .
Reports of the meetings of the Provincial Grand Lodge of . Middkv . c- ; , Mount Sinai Chapter of Instruction , & K ., and several reviews are reluctantly poslpined .