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Article THE MARK DEGREE. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Mark Degree.
THE MARK DEGREE .
It is doubtless much to be lamented , that ignorance and want of common sense should disturb fraternal unanimity , and in a present instance tend to deprive the Craft of a very essential prerogative . "We , of course , allude to the subject of the Mark Degree , to the confusion about which , we drew the attention of our readers in the Masonic Mirror for July ; and we cannot forbear enjoining a vigorous exertion upon the part of members of the Grand Lodge to restore
what is confessedly of immemorial annexation to Masonry , and to redeem the Craft from the ill consequences attending the selfstultification of the Grand Master . The case is the most simple which ever came before us , notwithstanding the obfuscation of our worthy Brother Henderson upon it ; the just jealousy entertained by the Craft of laying additional expense upon the Brethren for initiation into what should have accompanied their previous process ; and the antagonism now got up by rival Mark Lodges , holding under
different , some under no warrants . First , then , the Mark is no new Degree , as Bro . Henderson might
have seen by examination of the tressle-boards and other authentic records previous to the Union . It is , as Bro . TIearn well expressed it , " an integral portion of Freemasonry , " and its omission by the English Mason places him in a most difficult position relative to foreign Lodges . We have nothing to do with its non-recognition at the period of the Union . The simple fact is , that recognized it must
le if we would put the Brethren upon the same independent footing as foreign Brethren enjoy , of admission into Chapters holden under other than English Constitutions . If the whole world , except England , should agree to reckon a Wednesday as one of the seven days of the week , it might * do very well for us as Englishmen to ignore that day in our computation of time , so long as the matter in TOL . II . 4 IE
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Mark Degree.
THE MARK DEGREE .
It is doubtless much to be lamented , that ignorance and want of common sense should disturb fraternal unanimity , and in a present instance tend to deprive the Craft of a very essential prerogative . "We , of course , allude to the subject of the Mark Degree , to the confusion about which , we drew the attention of our readers in the Masonic Mirror for July ; and we cannot forbear enjoining a vigorous exertion upon the part of members of the Grand Lodge to restore
what is confessedly of immemorial annexation to Masonry , and to redeem the Craft from the ill consequences attending the selfstultification of the Grand Master . The case is the most simple which ever came before us , notwithstanding the obfuscation of our worthy Brother Henderson upon it ; the just jealousy entertained by the Craft of laying additional expense upon the Brethren for initiation into what should have accompanied their previous process ; and the antagonism now got up by rival Mark Lodges , holding under
different , some under no warrants . First , then , the Mark is no new Degree , as Bro . Henderson might
have seen by examination of the tressle-boards and other authentic records previous to the Union . It is , as Bro . TIearn well expressed it , " an integral portion of Freemasonry , " and its omission by the English Mason places him in a most difficult position relative to foreign Lodges . We have nothing to do with its non-recognition at the period of the Union . The simple fact is , that recognized it must
le if we would put the Brethren upon the same independent footing as foreign Brethren enjoy , of admission into Chapters holden under other than English Constitutions . If the whole world , except England , should agree to reckon a Wednesday as one of the seven days of the week , it might * do very well for us as Englishmen to ignore that day in our computation of time , so long as the matter in TOL . II . 4 IE