Grants To The Educational Institutions.

Hid it would have left the Fund of Benevolence enniless . In the next place , if we are to have a revision of grants , we must have , it appears to us a revision of a good many other matters . There are many points which , when such a contingency takes place , would require

consideration as , from some experience in educational work , we express a very common opinion on the subject , when we say that we cannot admit " finality" or " perfection"' to be the characteristics of the arrangements of any educational institutions . We are still of opinion that our Masonic

Educational Institutions having flourished so greatly and expanded so wondrously on the liberal offerings of the Craft , without subsidies to fall back upon , had far better adhere to a course which has been productive of so much good to them in the past . We admit that

candidates are many ; indeed , Bro . Binckes rates them , we see , for the four institutions at 525 , though we should like to see the official figures . Our course would be easier altogether if we were enabled , on the authority of our great

institutions themselves , to lay the " hard reality of figures" and the actual facts of the case before our brethren . As it is , we have to have recourse to what we can obtain for ourselves in the best way we can , or to second-hand information , in sparse quantity , and often after date .

The Oriental Order Of The Temple.

THE ORIENTAL ORDER OF THE TEMPLE .

Until we read the paper which is to be found in our " Masonic Notes and Queries , " we confess that we had never heard of this Order . Perhaps it was our great ignorance . But yet with some little knowledge of old documents and Knightly Orders , we have never before lighted

upon the " Oriental Order ofthe Temple . " This circular is very interesting , and if its claims to historical authenticity are admitted , it must be a very ancient Order . But yet , ' who is Roger de Flor ? We have thus , it will be seen , a " duplex transmissio . " This circular assumes the

Larmenius Charter to be genuine ; we have , we are sorry to say , the gravest doubts on that subject . Roger de Flor is apparently of Spanish origin , and so must be Sancho de Vargas ; but we had always understood historically that the Order of the Temple in Spain had been incorporated with

the Spanish Order of Calatrava . Yet here we have a Spanish perpetuation at Constantinople . We shall be glad to see the Charter of this new branch of the Templars , the more so as the words quoted , which we presume are translated from the Latin , are hardly early 14 th century words .

1 he whole question of the Templar perpetuation deserves enquiry , as if we have thus two charters dating , one at Constantinople , 1313 , and another at Paris , 1324 , and they stand the scrutiny of the expert , there can be no doubt , but , that we have a Templar perpetuation still . We see that the

circular states that since 1313 Roger de Flor , custodian of the original seal , re-established the Order , having also received transmitted powers in 1307 , from Jaques de Molay . Thus , in 1313 the Militia or Order of the Temple was set up again at Constantinople , by the Charter

ofthe Constitution , of date Easter Monday , 1313 , and confirmed in 1316 , so that this Order has been " preserved to the present day . " We shall be obliged to the brother who has kindly sent us this circular , if he will favour us with a little more detailed information of the historical

evidence of the Order , and a fuller account of the Charter of Roger de Flor , on which this " Oriental Order of the Temple , " apparently relies for its continuation and existence in the world .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Anniversary, 1875.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION ANNIVERSARY , 1875 .

We are unable , as we go to press on Thursdays , to do more than just allude to this interest-• ng event . We hope to recur to the subject next Week , and refer our readers to the rennrr in nnr

columns . We are glad , however , at being able to announce that the amount reported on the various lists reaches to ] the sum of £ 6 , 630 13 s . 0 d ' , with eleven lists to come in , '

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We 1 I 0 not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of thc opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we vvish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to pe-rmit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . ]

THE DEGREE OF MARK MASTER AND EXCELLENT MASTER . To Ihe Editor ofthe Freemason . Dear Sir ami Brother , — The letter of your able and intelligent corrcs

pondent , Bro . Walter Hill , of New Zealand , in your last number , with enquiry as to the " true position " of the two degrees above mentioned , will doubtless attract thc attention of brethren better qualified to reply than myself , bnt I am anxious to address a few observations nn the

points raised by Bro . Hill with reference to the degree of Mark Master . Though not admitted as such by the United Grand Lodge of England , there can be no doubt in the mind of any dispassionate and unbiassed student that the Mark Degree possesses sufficient internal evidence to justify its title to be considered an integral portion of " pure and

ancient I- reemasonry . I may assert this without entering into thc vexed question why the Grand Lodge of England , at the settlement of 1 S 13 , declined its recognition as such , seeing that under every other jurisdiction the degree is regarded as more or less essential . The difficulty in connection with the Mark Degree is , as your correspondent rightly states , its " position " in relation

to other degrees . Claiming for the Mark an antiquity superior to that of the Master Mason ' s degree , it may seem anomalous that by the Constitutions of the English Grand Lodge of M . M . M ., thc degree can be conferred only on those who arc M . M ., but it must bc borne in mind that in thc organisation of tbe present Grand Mark Lodge

many points of delicacy and difficulty presented themselves . Prominent amongst these was the risk of " colliding " in some way with thc Grand Lodge of England , which—no matter what some of their opponents may state to the contrary—it was the anxious desire of the founders of the Mark Grand Lodge to avoid . To steer clear of one difficulty , the rule was made that the degree

should be conferred only on M . M . ' s , and Bro . Hill will remember in a very early portion of our ritual , this part of the W . M . ' s address to the candidate . " Since the , & c , and the institution , eSrc , of , & c , as practised in this country , a regulation has been made , & c " But to discuss more closely the proper position the Mark Degree should occupy in the Masonic system . I believe

three distinct views are taken of this . ( A ) . —That the Mark is the necessary and natural fulfilment of the E . C . Degree , and therefore , as a matter of course , shoulel be given to E . G ., anil maele a preliminary to thc M . M . Degree . ( 11 ) . —That it is introductory to the R . A . Degree , and a link between the M . M . and that degree , and should only

be given to M . M . ' s . It is very difficult , if not impossible , to discuss these propositions in public , but it may be said that the degree has much greater affinity with the K . C . than with the M . M ., and I confess that for some years I was firmly of opinion that the Mark was the legitimate consequence and completion of the F . C . Degree . I never could understand

its connection with either thc M . M . or R . A . Degree , though fully acquiescing in the policy which confined the degree to M . M ., for reasons previously stated . ( c ) . —There is a third opinion to which I have for some time past been a convert , and which , I think , deserves more attention than it has met with , and in support of which a considerable amount of weighty evidence maybe adduced .

This , however , is absolutely impossible in public . But let me again ask Bro . Hill to remember the question put to the candidate— " Why does he wish to , " & c , and tlie reason , " to qualify him to preside over , " & c . Now , bearing this in mind , let anyone visit the lodges in some of our Northern Counties—be present at the installation of thc W . M . of a Craft lodge , and then at the

ceremony of advancement in a Mark lodge , e . g ., at Blackburn , where thc old ritual is preserved , and he cannot fail to be convinced that the Mark is—as it is described on the title-page of an old M . S . ritual sent to me by thc venerable Bro . Punshon , of Killingworth—the " Chair-Master's " Degree . 1 must be brief , however , and only spare a few lines on

the definition of Mark Man as contrasted with Mark Master , and the difficulty stated by Bro . Hill in conferring thc mark , or reward of merit , properly belonging to F . C . in a lodge composed of M . M ., who , as M . M . M . also , are thereby considered as superior to M . M . This difficulty fades when the qualification of M . M . is understood as

precautionary , if 1 may so term it . Our newly-authorised ritual , which Bro . Hill describes as " contradictory , " will not be so held by him when he keeps this in view ; and if he will note how , in the introductory portion of the ceremony of advancement , the rank of F . C , or Mark Man , is carefully maintained , until the skill , regularity , eV-c , is rewarded by the conferring of the full rank of

M . M . M . To conclude , and 1 fear 1 have already trespassed upon your space at too great length , it is very gratifying to see such testimony as that of Bro . Hill borne to the work done by our Grand Mark Lodge ; and I can quite understand this being thoroughly appreciated in the Colonies .

On this point more may be written on another opportunity . One other word . Though not able to dissociate myself from the official position I hold in this Grand Lodge , 1 desire it to be understood that—recognising the differences of opinion already referred to—the views I have expressed arc merel y my own—and are not to be taken as

Original Correspondence.

those of the Grand Lodge of M . M . M ., or of any of its rulers , speaking with authority—ex cathedra—or otherwise . I am , Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , FHEDEIIICK BINCKES . London , January ieith , 1875 .

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . To Ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — As we cannot settle the P . M . ' s question of Status on rejoining his lodge after a 12 months' absence , I will pass that over , and now return to the legality of lodges

voting away their funds for chanties not Masonic . If my memory serves me , you intimated an opinion in a former number that they could do so . Now I am of a contrary opinion , and am not singular in saying that we Freemasons do not subscribe our monies to make a fund for

such purposes , and I shall be glad if you or some of our brethren " learned in the law " of the Craft , will point out to me , where , in the Book of Constitutions , such a law is enacted , and I shall be obliged . Very fraternally yours , AN OLD P . M ., ONE , Sec .

To the Editor if Ihe Freemason . Sir and Brother , — I think your leading article as to thc status of a P . M . who has ceased to subscribe 12 months , and rejoins his lodge , will carry conviction to nearly everyone who studies the point . I should be content to let the matter

drop , were it not for an ambiguity in one paragraph . You say , " If a P . M . leaves his lodge for 2 years , he loses his precedence as Senior P . M ., and on his rejoining the lodge , becomes the Junior P . M . at the time of his re-admittance . " I submit this scarcely goes far enough ; he not only becomes the Junior P . M . at the time of his re-admittance ,

but ever after remains Junior to any P . M . of the lodge who has subscribed since he occupied the chair ; that , in fact , he rejoins as one of those strange P . M . ' s referred to by Bro . Tebbs , who have no seniority with respect to the P . M . ' s of the lodge itself . Grand Lodge membership depends

entirely on membership of a private lodge , which is lost directly the subscription ceases to be paid , and cannot afterwards be recovered , unless the condition originally required ( occupying the chair 12 months ) be again complied with . Yours , fraternally , JEI . F .

MASONIC PRESENTATION TO THE MARQUIS OF RIPON . To the Editor ofthe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — My curiosity and interest have been equally aroused by a somewhat sensational and startling extract

from the Rosicrncian . Where is this beautiful casket to bc seen ? One is lost in admiration at that true Masonic spirit , which should induce the donors of so costly a gift to cover it witli Masonic emblems . The idea is really equally touching and sublime ; in fact , it could only emanate , I venture to think , from the highest degree of Masonic sympathy , and the highest grade of chivalrous mysticism !

Perhaps the editor of the Rosicrncian will enlighten your readers as to this last elevelopment of the genial spirit of our Order , and oblige deeply , with many more , Your humble servant , AN EKQUIIIINI ; ( IK IHJUIITISO ) BKOTIIEH . [ We have been struck with tlie extract from the Rosicrucian also . We can hear nothing about the mysterious casket . —Ei > . ]

Multum In Parbo; Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo ; or Masonic Notes and Queries .

THE MILITIA on OHIENTAI . OIIOEII OF THE TEMPLE — JF . KUSAI . EM AND CONSTANTINOPLE . "The Order ofthe Temple , founded at Jerusalem in the year 1118 of the Christian era , was declared abolished by Pope Clement V , on the 2 nd of May 1312 , ' as a measure of provision and not through a Sentence if Suppression . ' "Thc Grand Master J acques dc Molay was burned alive

by order of Phillipe IV , of France , the 1 ith of March . *) 14-"In 1311 ) , Pope John XXII , solemnly re-established the Order of the Temple in Portugal under the name of Militia of Christ . " Jacques de Molay the Grand Master and Martyr at the time of his arrest ( 13 th of October iw ) , trail smitted his

powers to Roger de Flor , Commander of Catalonia ; and later from the depth of his dungeon , he by provision , delegated Jean de Larmcny who re-established tlie Order in Western Europe , by a Charter dated 23 rd of February J . S 24-" Roger dc Flor , being custodian of the ori ginal seal , reestablished thc Militia or Orderof the Temple , at

Constantinople , from whence it spread widely among the Eastern Nations , and firmly withstanding many persecutions , the Oriental Order has been preserved to the present day with all its primitive traditions , constantly rendering signal services to oppressed Christians . " Roger de Flor dated his Charter of reconstitution of the Order from Constantinople on Easter Sunday 1313 , secularized it and rendered it independent ; his Successor , Sancho

de Vargas , confirmed it in 1316 . " Thc following is the text which has been preserved : — " ' This is the Charter of the Militia or Oriental Order of the Temple such as it was established by thc Grand Master Roger de Flor , delegate of the Martyr and elected by his Brethren . " ' In the name of the Lord , Architect Almighty of the World and the Worlds , who has reigned , reigns , and shall eternally reign .