-
Articles/Ads
Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article THE MARK DEGREE AND THE CRYPTIC RITE. Page 1 of 2 Article THE MARK DEGREE AND THE CRYPTIC RITE. Page 1 of 2 Article THE MARK DEGREE AND THE CRYPTIC RITE. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00804
To ADVERTISERS . THE Circulation of THE FREEMASON being now at the rate of nearly Ilalf-a-millioii per annum , it offers peculiar facilities to all who advertise . It is well known that the Fraternity of Freemasons is a large and constantly increasing ; body , mainly composed of the influential and educated classes of society ; and as The Freemason is now the accepted organ ofthe Brotherhood in the United Kingdom , and also enjoys an extensive sale in the colonies and foreign parts , its advantages as an advertising medium can scarcely he overrated . For terms apply to GEORGE KENNING , 19 S , FLEET STREET , LONDON * , E . C .
Ar00806
NOTICE , The Subscription to THE FREEMASON is nozv ios . per annum , post-free , payable in advance . Vol . I ., hound in cloth 4 s . Od . Vol . II ., ditto 7 s . 6 d . Vol . III ., ditto 15 s . od . Reading Cases to hold 52 numbers ... 2 s . Cd . United States of America . THE KUKEMASON * is delivered free in any part of the United Slates for 12 s . per annum , payable in advance .
Ar00805
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS . The Office of ' THE FREEMASON is new transferred to 198 , FLEET STREET , E . C . All communications for the Editor or Publisher should therefore be fat warded io that address .
Ar00807
All communications for Till ' - l '' l ; Hr . M \ so \ ' should lie ivaitten legibly on one side of the paper only , and , if intcnd-al lor inseitian in the current number , uitiNt be received not laler than to o ' clock a . m . on Thursdays , unless in very special caa * s . The name and address of every vviitcr must be sent to us in confidence .
Ar00803
The Freemason , SATUROIY , AUGUST 2 G , 1871 . THK FKKKMASO . V is published on Saturday . Mommas in time for the curly trains . lhe price of THE FKF . KMASON is Twopence per week ; annual subscription , ios . ( payable in advance ) . All comnunicalions , letters , & c , to be addressed lo tlie KUITOK 19 I , I'leet-slrcel , K . C . The Editor will pay careful attention to . tll MSS . entrusted lo him but cat . not undertake to return them unless accompanied by postage stamps .
The Mark Degree And The Cryptic Rite.
THE MARK DEGREE AND THE CRYPTIC RITE .
IT cannot be gainsnyed , even by the most ardent supporters of Mark Masonry , that the degree , as practised in England , occupies an anomalous position in relation to
the Craft . Notwithstanding the comparative antiquity ofthe " Marie , " and the coincidence of its traditions with those of tlie recognised degrees , the Grand Lodge of
England , after expressing an opinion in its favour , finally resolved to ignore the degree . As a matter of course , thc immediate result of this policy of negation was tlie
formation of a separate jurisdiction for the Mark Masters of England , and the Mark Grand Lodge thus established is now probably the
most popular and flourishing unrecognised Masonic body in the country . This , however , docs not obliterate the fact that no similar
The Mark Degree And The Cryptic Rite.
jurisdiction exists , or has ever existed , amongst Masons . It must also Tse borne in mind that Mark Masonry is not known or worked on the Continent of Europe ; and ,
in general terms , it may be said that the Degree is confined to the English-speaking populations of the globe . In every country , however , except England , the " Mark "
forms part of a series of degrees conferred , as a rule , under the auspices of the Grand Royal Arch Chapters , and in this connection it succeeds the " Master Mason ' s , " as
tlie fourth degree . This is notably the case in the United States of America , where the " capitular , " or chapter degrees rank thus Mark Master , Past Master , Most Excellent
Master , Royal Arch Masbn . The symbolic or Craft Grand Lodges in the States exercise no control over any degrees but those
of Entered Apprentice , Fellow-Craft , and Master Mason ; but the higher organisations invariably recognise the Grand Lodges as the basis and source of their own
existence ; so mucn so , that u a brother be suspended or expelled by thc authorities of the Craft , a similar penalty is inflicted upon him by thc chapter , council , or
commandery to which he may also belong . In several States of the Union , the correct theory of Masonic progression is to advance from the blue lodge to the Royal Arch
chapter , thence to the council of Royal and Select Masters , and finally to the commandery of the Temple and Malta . In some councils , the grade of Super-Excellent
Master is added ; but this , being a very theatrical degree , is by no means universally appreciated . Our American brethren call this series thc " York " Rite , to distinguish
it from the "Ancient or Accepted , or "Scottish" Rite , which , as every Mason knows , consists of thirty-three degrees , from the " Entered Apprentice " to the " Sovereign Grand Inspector General . "
Now , in our opinion , there cannot be a doubt that the American system of letting each division of thc Craft pursue its own course , and manage its own concerns , is the
best and the wisest one . For example , if an American Craft Grand Lodge were ofiiciallyqucstioned as to the interior economy ofa Grand Royal Arch Chaptcr , ora Grand
Commandery of Knights Templar , the Grand Lodge would very likely reply that it knew nothing of the so-called superior body , although , in all probability , many of
its members would be found to be also members of the other organization . It may here be appositely noted that the Grand Lodge of England itself , some eighty
years ago , gave an almost identical response to a similar query which arose out of a complaint made by a Royal Arch Mason against the Grand Chapter for denouncing
him as an irregular companion , when it was unanimously resolved " that this Grand Lodge has nothing to do with the proceedings of the Society of Royal Arch Masons . "
Since then , it is true , we have recognised the Royal Arch degree , but thc principle remains precisely the same with respect to the relations of the Craft with the Mark .
The Mark Degree And The Cryptic Rite.
tlie Red Cross , the Order of the Temple , or any other unrecognised Masonic body . However , what we have now to consider is , tlie position of English Mark Masonry ,
and few brethren will deny that , as at present constituted , it is like Mahomet ' s coffin , suspended between the terrestrial and celestial spheres , and belonging neither to " blue " nor to " red " Masonry .
We are glad to say that this anomalous state of affairs will soon cease , and that English Mark Masters will be enabled to complete the chain of correlative degrees
practised by their American brethren . An obvious difficulty exists as to the fifth in the series—the " Past Master ' s " degree ; because none but an " Installed Master "
can legally obtain the chair secrets under tlie English Constitution , but with this exception , which does not , of course , apply to actual P . M . ' s , English Masons can now
take the Mark and Most Excellent Masters degrees , and can then , if also Royal Arch Masons , proceed to the Cryptic Rite , which comprises the grades of Royal and
Select Masters . The merit of having introduced these degrees into England is due to the present energetic Grand Master of the Mark Grand Lodge , Brother GEORGE
RAYMOND PORTAL , under whose auspices a distinguished American brother , Jackson II . Chase , 33 ° , of New York , has conferred the degrees upon a number of leading
iMasons in the metropolis , and established a Grand Council for England . We attach greater importance to this event because we believe , that by adopting the American
system we shall be drawing closer and closer the bonds which now happily unite the Fraternity of this country and of the great Republic , and we are persuaded that
greater interest will be awakened in Masonic proceedings generally on both sides of the Atlantic in consequence of the assimilation—nay , almost the identity—of
our respective Masonic organisations . The step thus taken cannot be said to interfere with the United Grand Lodge , because all who desire to progress must be Alaster
Alasons , and it will rather stimulate than otherwise the increasing desire of the brethren to enter into Royal Arch Masonry , because none but Royal Arch
Masons can be received into the Cryptic Rite . The most immediate and tangible advantage will nevertheless be this : that an English brother , who is also an Installed
Master , will now be enabled to claim admission to any and every meeting of the symbolic , capitular , cryptic , or chivalric degrees , wherever they may be worked ,
without having to retire because he is not in possession of the complete series . We do not pretend to maintain that the Cryptic
Rite is a very ancient one ; it is apparently an adaptation from an original with which all Rose Croix Masons are familiar . But
setting antiquity aside , its ceremonies are very beautiful and instructive , and , as we have already said , will be found eminently useful ia cementing the " solidarity , " to use a French phrase , of British and American
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00804
To ADVERTISERS . THE Circulation of THE FREEMASON being now at the rate of nearly Ilalf-a-millioii per annum , it offers peculiar facilities to all who advertise . It is well known that the Fraternity of Freemasons is a large and constantly increasing ; body , mainly composed of the influential and educated classes of society ; and as The Freemason is now the accepted organ ofthe Brotherhood in the United Kingdom , and also enjoys an extensive sale in the colonies and foreign parts , its advantages as an advertising medium can scarcely he overrated . For terms apply to GEORGE KENNING , 19 S , FLEET STREET , LONDON * , E . C .
Ar00806
NOTICE , The Subscription to THE FREEMASON is nozv ios . per annum , post-free , payable in advance . Vol . I ., hound in cloth 4 s . Od . Vol . II ., ditto 7 s . 6 d . Vol . III ., ditto 15 s . od . Reading Cases to hold 52 numbers ... 2 s . Cd . United States of America . THE KUKEMASON * is delivered free in any part of the United Slates for 12 s . per annum , payable in advance .
Ar00805
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS . The Office of ' THE FREEMASON is new transferred to 198 , FLEET STREET , E . C . All communications for the Editor or Publisher should therefore be fat warded io that address .
Ar00807
All communications for Till ' - l '' l ; Hr . M \ so \ ' should lie ivaitten legibly on one side of the paper only , and , if intcnd-al lor inseitian in the current number , uitiNt be received not laler than to o ' clock a . m . on Thursdays , unless in very special caa * s . The name and address of every vviitcr must be sent to us in confidence .
Ar00803
The Freemason , SATUROIY , AUGUST 2 G , 1871 . THK FKKKMASO . V is published on Saturday . Mommas in time for the curly trains . lhe price of THE FKF . KMASON is Twopence per week ; annual subscription , ios . ( payable in advance ) . All comnunicalions , letters , & c , to be addressed lo tlie KUITOK 19 I , I'leet-slrcel , K . C . The Editor will pay careful attention to . tll MSS . entrusted lo him but cat . not undertake to return them unless accompanied by postage stamps .
The Mark Degree And The Cryptic Rite.
THE MARK DEGREE AND THE CRYPTIC RITE .
IT cannot be gainsnyed , even by the most ardent supporters of Mark Masonry , that the degree , as practised in England , occupies an anomalous position in relation to
the Craft . Notwithstanding the comparative antiquity ofthe " Marie , " and the coincidence of its traditions with those of tlie recognised degrees , the Grand Lodge of
England , after expressing an opinion in its favour , finally resolved to ignore the degree . As a matter of course , thc immediate result of this policy of negation was tlie
formation of a separate jurisdiction for the Mark Masters of England , and the Mark Grand Lodge thus established is now probably the
most popular and flourishing unrecognised Masonic body in the country . This , however , docs not obliterate the fact that no similar
The Mark Degree And The Cryptic Rite.
jurisdiction exists , or has ever existed , amongst Masons . It must also Tse borne in mind that Mark Masonry is not known or worked on the Continent of Europe ; and ,
in general terms , it may be said that the Degree is confined to the English-speaking populations of the globe . In every country , however , except England , the " Mark "
forms part of a series of degrees conferred , as a rule , under the auspices of the Grand Royal Arch Chapters , and in this connection it succeeds the " Master Mason ' s , " as
tlie fourth degree . This is notably the case in the United States of America , where the " capitular , " or chapter degrees rank thus Mark Master , Past Master , Most Excellent
Master , Royal Arch Masbn . The symbolic or Craft Grand Lodges in the States exercise no control over any degrees but those
of Entered Apprentice , Fellow-Craft , and Master Mason ; but the higher organisations invariably recognise the Grand Lodges as the basis and source of their own
existence ; so mucn so , that u a brother be suspended or expelled by thc authorities of the Craft , a similar penalty is inflicted upon him by thc chapter , council , or
commandery to which he may also belong . In several States of the Union , the correct theory of Masonic progression is to advance from the blue lodge to the Royal Arch
chapter , thence to the council of Royal and Select Masters , and finally to the commandery of the Temple and Malta . In some councils , the grade of Super-Excellent
Master is added ; but this , being a very theatrical degree , is by no means universally appreciated . Our American brethren call this series thc " York " Rite , to distinguish
it from the "Ancient or Accepted , or "Scottish" Rite , which , as every Mason knows , consists of thirty-three degrees , from the " Entered Apprentice " to the " Sovereign Grand Inspector General . "
Now , in our opinion , there cannot be a doubt that the American system of letting each division of thc Craft pursue its own course , and manage its own concerns , is the
best and the wisest one . For example , if an American Craft Grand Lodge were ofiiciallyqucstioned as to the interior economy ofa Grand Royal Arch Chaptcr , ora Grand
Commandery of Knights Templar , the Grand Lodge would very likely reply that it knew nothing of the so-called superior body , although , in all probability , many of
its members would be found to be also members of the other organization . It may here be appositely noted that the Grand Lodge of England itself , some eighty
years ago , gave an almost identical response to a similar query which arose out of a complaint made by a Royal Arch Mason against the Grand Chapter for denouncing
him as an irregular companion , when it was unanimously resolved " that this Grand Lodge has nothing to do with the proceedings of the Society of Royal Arch Masons . "
Since then , it is true , we have recognised the Royal Arch degree , but thc principle remains precisely the same with respect to the relations of the Craft with the Mark .
The Mark Degree And The Cryptic Rite.
tlie Red Cross , the Order of the Temple , or any other unrecognised Masonic body . However , what we have now to consider is , tlie position of English Mark Masonry ,
and few brethren will deny that , as at present constituted , it is like Mahomet ' s coffin , suspended between the terrestrial and celestial spheres , and belonging neither to " blue " nor to " red " Masonry .
We are glad to say that this anomalous state of affairs will soon cease , and that English Mark Masters will be enabled to complete the chain of correlative degrees
practised by their American brethren . An obvious difficulty exists as to the fifth in the series—the " Past Master ' s " degree ; because none but an " Installed Master "
can legally obtain the chair secrets under tlie English Constitution , but with this exception , which does not , of course , apply to actual P . M . ' s , English Masons can now
take the Mark and Most Excellent Masters degrees , and can then , if also Royal Arch Masons , proceed to the Cryptic Rite , which comprises the grades of Royal and
Select Masters . The merit of having introduced these degrees into England is due to the present energetic Grand Master of the Mark Grand Lodge , Brother GEORGE
RAYMOND PORTAL , under whose auspices a distinguished American brother , Jackson II . Chase , 33 ° , of New York , has conferred the degrees upon a number of leading
iMasons in the metropolis , and established a Grand Council for England . We attach greater importance to this event because we believe , that by adopting the American
system we shall be drawing closer and closer the bonds which now happily unite the Fraternity of this country and of the great Republic , and we are persuaded that
greater interest will be awakened in Masonic proceedings generally on both sides of the Atlantic in consequence of the assimilation—nay , almost the identity—of
our respective Masonic organisations . The step thus taken cannot be said to interfere with the United Grand Lodge , because all who desire to progress must be Alaster
Alasons , and it will rather stimulate than otherwise the increasing desire of the brethren to enter into Royal Arch Masonry , because none but Royal Arch
Masons can be received into the Cryptic Rite . The most immediate and tangible advantage will nevertheless be this : that an English brother , who is also an Installed
Master , will now be enabled to claim admission to any and every meeting of the symbolic , capitular , cryptic , or chivalric degrees , wherever they may be worked ,
without having to retire because he is not in possession of the complete series . We do not pretend to maintain that the Cryptic
Rite is a very ancient one ; it is apparently an adaptation from an original with which all Rose Croix Masons are familiar . But
setting antiquity aside , its ceremonies are very beautiful and instructive , and , as we have already said , will be found eminently useful ia cementing the " solidarity , " to use a French phrase , of British and American