Consecration Of The Provincial Grand Chapter Of Sussex.

A vote of thanks was cordially given to the Installing Companion and the Grand Officers who had assisted him . In reply , Col . SHADWELL CLERKE said he most heartily wished the new chapter every prosperity . It had been opened under most favourable auspices , and nothing remained but for the companions in thc province to work heartily together to ensure its permanence and prosperity . ( App lause . )

The chapter was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , where Comps . Sayers and Marks fully maintained their high position as public caterers . Thc GRAND SUPERINTENDENT presided , and he was supported by about seventy companions , including most of the Grand Offi cers present at the installation ceremony .

Th e list of toasts included "The Queen and Royal Arch Freemasonry , ' " His Royal Hig hness thc Prince of Wales , " and " The Officers of Grand Ch apters , " all of which were received wilh marked enthusiasm . "The Health of thc Grand Superintendent of Sussex" was proposed by Comp . COLONEL C LERKE , and received in an exceptionally hearty

manner . He spoke of the especially happy selection which His Royal Hig hness had made iu appointing Sir Walter to rule the destinies of Masonry in Sussex . His genial manner endeared him to all wilh whom hc was brought into contact , and under . his auspices the success of thc Provin cial Grand Chapter opened that day was undoubted . ( Applause . )

Thc GRAND SUPERINTENDENT said it was exceedingly gratifying be received on all occasions wilh so much kindness and heartiness in

the Province of Sussex . The progress of Freemasonry was a health )' sign that its objects were appreciated , and it would be his constant aim to encourage good working nnd discipline alike in the various chapters as in the several lodges within the Province of Sussex . He relied on the hearty co-operation of the whole of thc companions to make thc new Provincial Grand Chapter an unqualified success . ( Applause . )

" Thc Health of the Installing Officer and his Assistants " was responded to by Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE . Comp . Sir J . B . MONCKTON proposed " Thc Health of thc Second and Third Principals and Ofiicers of the Prov . Grand Chapter . " Comps . J . H . SCOTT and G . W . KING replied . Comp . W . R . Wood proposeel the toasts of "The Visitors , " which was responded to by Comps . T . FENN and MESSENT .

Comp . V . P . FREEMAN gave " The Principals of thc Chapters in the Province of Sussex . " Comp . Jos . FARNCOMBE , Lewes , and Comp . PIDCOCK , Eastbourne , replied . They stated that they considered the establishment of a Provincial Grand Chapter in Sussex a most auspicious event , and the companions of thc various chapters were full y determined to secure its permanence and efficiency .

Ihe Janitor ' s toast concluded the proceedings , which were interspersed by brilliant pianoforte selections b y Comp . Kuhe , and songs by Comps . A . King , Large , and others . The unanimous feeling of those present was that the proceedings were of a most enjoyable character , and that thc success of this new advancement in Sussex Masonry was thoroughly assured .

Consecration Of The Lumley Lodge, No. 1893, Skegness, Lincolnshire.

CONSECRATION OF THE LUMLEY LODGE , NO . 1893 , SKEGNESS , LINCOLNSHIRE .

On Thursday , the 21 st inst ., an especial Prov . Grand Lodge was called for thc purpose of constituting and dedicating the above lodge , being the twenty-first on the roll of the Province of Lincoln . The day being fine and the occasion one of some interest , a goodly number of the brethren were

present . V The work of consecration was ably performed b y the R . W . Bro . William Henry Smyth , Prov . Grand i \ faster , assisted b y the officers of thc ;> : _ P . G . Lodge . Among those present wc noticed W . Bros . E . Locock , 712 , p D . P . G . M / T . M . Wilkinson , 297 , P . G . S . W . ; G . M . Lowe , M . D ., 13 S 6 , P . G . J . W . ; F . D . Marsden , 712 , P . G . Sec ; T . C . Johnson , 1000 ,

P . G . S . D . ; XV . M . Roberts , 792 ; P . G . D . of C . ; Jno . Laughton , 422 , > ,. ^ - ^ -J " ,- ; W . Cocking , 1286 , XV . Gray , 1447 , C . F . Liverscdgc , 422 , and I H . 'l . 'Seels , jun ., 426 , W . M . 189-5 designate , P . G . Stewards ; and Benj . I Box , 42- 2 , P . G . Tyler ; also W . Jiros / W . H . Bailcs , 272 , P . P . G . S . W . I West Yorks ; J . A . Thomas , 272 , P . P . G . J . W . ; George F . Burrell , 469 , B P . P . G . A . D . C ; T . Robinson . . 160 . P . P . G . I . D . : Rev . G . W . Lowe . 272 .

g P . P . G . Chap . ; Caleb Pocklington , 272 , P . P . G . S . W . ; Wm . Snart , 272 , K P . P . G . J- , \ V . ; Richard Hall , 297 , P . P . G . S . W . ; Chas . Smyth , 1600 , P . P . | a G . P . ; I , i . Sharp , 1 v > 4 . P . P . G . J . XV . ; II . E . Tumour , 1286 , P . P . G . S . D . ; f A . L . Kcncr . 426 . P . P . G . O . ; XV . H . Sissons , 1447 , P . P . G . J . W . ; T . W . | ; Ihimblcb y , 726 , P . P . G . J . D . ; Chas . Hensman , 1304 , P . P . G . S . ofW . ; Bro . E C A . Kirby , 838 and ' i 2 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; XV . Bros . J . Benner , W . M .

| . 409 ; 1 . P . Dickenson , P . M . 297 , P . G . Std . Br . ; A . S . Sleffcnscn , W . M r 792 ; Tho ; ,, Kirkby , W . M . 426 ; Thos . Mountain , W . M . 1294 ; J . Allen 'I . M . S 38 ; , J ns . Castcrton , W . M . 12 S 6 ; B . Vickers , P . M . 297 ; P . T , [¦ ¦ Huddelsey , ¦ I . P . M . 1294 ; E . F . B . Lucas , I . P . M . 172 ; W . G . Smyth , I S . D . 712 ; 0 . Smith , S . D . 588 ; H . Barker , S . W . 792 ; C Reeve , S . W . H 12 S 6 ; J . II . Spry , 712 ; I ' " . Cartwright , 426 , S . W . designate ; Sam Taylor , ¦ r

Hrr ¦' . ^ * designate George Dunkley , 426 , 800 . designate ; and others ; Bnlty-nine bre tiren having signed thc attendance sheet . Thc brethren of || lne new lod <_' _ have been fortunate enough to obtain a capilal room al thc jpnew estate ofiij ' js of Lord Scarborough , whose famil y name the lodge bears , ! ¦ jlnd we under , j m . l his lordship has granted permission for his coat of arms to fd bedisp laycdon he lodge banner , with ' thc motto " Mums .-Encus Conscientia iioana . "

i I rocecdings commenced punctually at noon , thc brethren assembled I forming a proce . ' u . ion under the able direction of Bro . XV . H . Roberts , P . G . I . 9 •* ' - oclge 792 . The R . W . P . G . M . being preceded by his banner , a gmagnificent work 0 f nit , presented some years since by Bro . John Madfield . P . P . G . D ., lodge 792 , Grimsby . Ihe Wardens '/ chairs were occupied respectively by Bros . T . W . Wilkinson , 297 , P . G . S . V" / ., .-md G . M . Lowe , M . D ., 1386 . P . G . J . W . Thc

"" H-crs designate Vj ^ c Bros . Henry John Seels , jun ., of Wainflcct , I . P . M . 426 ns W . M . ; PYcdcrick Cartwright , of Skegness , as S . W . ; Samuel % le > r , of Eastvill _ - ,. ; isJ . \ V . 1 lie brethren naniVd j n the warrant having been . mnroved . the work of

"Milution and dedic . ation was proceeded with in due form , the R . W . P . „' - L afterwards installing the W . M . Bro . George Dunkley was appointed I ecretary and Trcasur } er . " Hearty good wishes " were received irom no wer than twenty-one ' . lodges—wi : lies that bid fair to be realised , as five Propositions were mad 0 in the room . The offertory on behalf of the Gene-

Consecration Of The Lumley Lodge, No. 1893, Skegness, Lincolnshire.

ral Fund of the Lumley Lodge amounted to £ 3 ios . gd . The appointments of the lodge gave universal satisfaction . The musical portion ; of the ceremony was conducted b y Bro . H . L . Keller , 426 , P . P . G . Org . while Bro . the Rev . G . W . Lowe , 272 , officiated as Provincial Grand Chaplain . Lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to Bro . Hildred ' s hotel , where a sumptuous bannuet was done amnln . HK I I V P tn . ths . .-Vi _ . ; .-

being occupied by the newly-installed W . M ., Bro . Seels ; the vice-chairs respectively by the S . W . and the P . G . Secretary . About fifty brethren were present , those living in Lincoln and the north-west having been obliged to depart by an early train to reach home that ni ght . Several excellent speeches were made , the brethren separating at an early hour with much regret .

It is expected that this lod ge will be much patronised by brethren visiting this pleasant little bathing place during the summer months . A noble pier , 600 feet in length , is nearly completed , and is expected to be opened in a short time , forming an additional attraction to the frequenters of this favourite resort of the brethren from Nottingham and the Midland Counties .

Grand Lodge Of Pennsylvania.

GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA .

T . B . WHYTEHEAD . Bro . T . R . PATTON , Grand Treasurer of thc Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , has forwarded lo me a copy of the abstract of the proceedings of his Grand Lodge for 1 S 80 , containing nearly 250 pages , and , like all American reports , remarkably well printed . Amongst the more noticeable

of its contents is the address of the R . W . G . Master , Bro . Michael Nisbet , which was delivered on the 27 th December last , and there is one portion of it which I will ask your leave to quote , as it seems peculiarly adapted for the consideration of the brethren of many lodges in this country . Speaking of errors in working Bro . Nisbet said :

" In endeavouring to repress errors wc have had in many lodges to overcome the belief that they had the correct work . It is the exception where a lodge does not enjoy the possession of an oracle-generall y self-constitutedwho fosters this belief , and who b y his assurance and pertinacity forces his instruction on each successive set of officers . An imperfect rccollcclion of what he did when Worshi pful Master , with a few of what he considers

improvements in the prosaic work of this jurisdiction thrown in to make it more palatable , he lays down as the true work . If the Grand Master declares any portion of il erroneous , the oracle ' s pride is wounded , his veracity is considered impeached . He subsequentl y disarms criticism of his work by his brethren b y declaring that each Grand Master has a work of his own , which accounts for the difference , and in a positive way re-affirms his former statements that his work is precisely the same as was done in the

lodge when he was made a Mason . His positiveness has its effect upon his officers . They believe in him , & c . . . Of course there arc many agreeable exceptions to the aforegoing cases . . . That there is a marked improvement in thc work it gives us pleasure to admit . . . The desire to learn the work has been aroused , and a spirit of emulation is being developed whicli is the harbinger of still greater efforts to exclude from the work all lhat may be a cause for censure or complaint . "

1 he Grand Master also took occasion to warn the brethren " not to repeat outside the lodge what was done within it , as thc profanes had nothing whatever to do with what transpired within its tiled precincts ; impressing upon them never to recognise a sign or grip given at improper times or in improper places , except under such peculiar circumstances as warranted

their being given ; exhorting them to greater care in the selection of their officers , as the welfare and prosperity of the lodge largely depended not onl y upon the character of the brethren they elevated to the several stations , but also upon the zeal and efficiency they displayed in the discharge of the duties thereof , and suggesting that no officer should be advanced unless he merited it . "

The reportol thc Committee in correspondence is also an able document , dealing incisively with the question of Grand Lodge jurisdiction . It is sufficient to mention that our good brother Clifford P . MacCalla , the talented editor of the Keystone , is a prominent member of that Committee to assure the Masonic world of the value of its work .

Mark Notes.

MARK NOTES .

1 . Ihe Mark Grand Lodge of England was formed in June , 1856 , and comprises several lodges which have worked the Mark Degree for about a century ; some 13 , 000 members having been advanced in its 250 lodges . 2 . The Grand Lodge ol England favoured Mark Masonry March , 18 5 6 , but failed to confirm its support at the Assembl y in June , 18 3 6 , because the " Articles of Union" virtually prohibit the recognition of any Degrees other than the " Three " and the R . A .

3 . Ihe Grand Lodge of England recognises none ofthe "Higher Degrees , " but does not prohibit its members belonging to them . 4 . Tho Grand Lodge of Scotland recognises the Mark Degrceasa pari of Ancient Masonry , and allows it to be conferred in a Craft Lodge on Master Masons .

5 . Many lodges in Scotland have their Mark books , several dating back to the sevcnleenlh century , one being 1670 . 6 . Until recently the Mark Master ' s degree was given only to Master Masons , that ofthe "Mark Man" being conferred on Fellow Crafts ; the latter circumstancedoubtlessgiving rise lo the belief that the former properly

belongs to the " Second Degree . " 7 . Thc Mark Degree i . s recognised by every Grand Royal Arch Chapter in the world , save in England , the latter declining to do so ( as with the other Degrees ) , because of the pledge given in December , 1813 , which is clearl y binding- - for all time . ( Vide No . 2 . )

8 . 1 he Mark Grand Lodge i . s recognised by the Grand Royal Arch Chapters of Scotland and Ireland , the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States ( comprising thc Grand Chapters of thirty-six States ) , thc Grand Chapters of Pennsylvania , Iowa , Canada , West Virginia , District of Columbia , Illinois , Quebec , Maine , Texas , and North Carolina .

9 . The Murk Degree- as conferred iu England is thc same as given abroad , and the certificates of the Mark Grand Lodge render it unnecessary for Royal Arch companions from England to be . advanced prior lo membership in a foreign Grand Chapter , the Mark Degree being a necessary prc-requisite everywhere , save in England . —\ V . J . HUGHAN , in the Canadian Craftsman .