The Mark Degree In England.

that we are here assembled . Whatever may be the objects of representatives from other bodies present in this Conference , I will afc the outset state thafc the principle motive of our Grand Blaster and of myself was the bringing aboufc an understanding Avith the governing bodies in Ireland and Scotland , by which our English Mark Grand Lodge should be recognised as the

Conservator of the Mark Degree in this country . I am , not prepared to concur in the description given of the position of the Mark Degree in this country , though doubtless that position may be rendered more satisfactory than it is afc present . Nexfc to the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter , Ave are numerically the strongest Alasonic Body iu England , though confessedly unrecognised

in the ordinary acceptation of the term . To provide a remedy for the existing state of things , by a fusion of the present conflicting interests , and by establishing a mutual recognition of tbe various bodies exercising jurisdiction over the Mark Degree in their respective districts , this Conference has been arranged . It is very true thafc although we see here representatives from the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Grand Chapter of Scotland , we have to deplore the absence of any direct

representative of either the Grand Lodge or Grand Chapter of England , or of the Grand Chapter of Ireland , to Avhich bodies invitations have been sent , and both of Avhich had intimated their intention of being represented . I have , however , to put in a letter from the M . W . G . M . of the United Grand Lodge of England , couched in the kindest and most fraternal terms , and another from the

Dep . G . Master of Ireland , setting forth fully his views on the questions submitted , and stating that he had written to a brother of eminence , Col . Francis Burdett , the representative of the G . L . of Ireland afc the United Grand Lodgeof England , requesting him to attend on his behalf . How it was that brother was not present I cannot say , bufc I will read both letters that they may be entered

on the minutes of this meeting . Ifc will be seen that we have faithfully carried out fche engagements entered into byus on the part of fche Grand Alark Lodge of England . Ifc is nofc for me now to make any further observations , whatever ifc may be by-and-bye . I only wish to have recorded in an authentic shape whafc preliminary steps have been taken fco produce this Conference , and I think I have stated everything thafc is necessary for the purpose .

1 . —Copy of Letter from A' W . Brother John Hervey , G . Sec . United Grand Lodge of England . Freemasons' Hall , London , AV . C , IRth December , 1870 . Dear Sir and Brother , I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28 th ult . which I have laid before the Earl de and Ri the

, Grey pon , Most AA ' orshipful Grand Master of the Craft , and First Principal of the Royal Arch Degrees , and am commanded by him to say that as tlie Mark Degree is not acknowledged either by the Grand Lodge or Grand Chapter of England , representatives from those Bodies could nob properly take part iu any Conference relative to that Degree . His Lordship further commands me to acknowledge with thanksthe which

, courtesy has prompted the Grand Alark Master Mason to make the above proposal , and while he must decline to accept it , yet he cannot forget that all the Brethren composing the Mark Degree are necessarily Master Masons , and as such they will at all times have his best wishes . I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally

, n TP -a- i c , Jonif HEBVET . Hro . F . Binckes , Secretary , Grand Alark Lodge . 2 . —Copy of letter from R . W . Bro . Eobert William bhekJeton , Dep . Grand Master of Ireland to Bro . F . Binckes , G . S . Grand Lod ge of Mark Masters , & c .

Slli , Leeson Street , Dublin , March 27 th 1871 . Dear Sir and Brother , I deferred a reply to your letter to the latest moment , until I was in a position to state whether I could be present at the proposed conference on the 3 rd prox . I regret to say that I find it will not he in my power to leave Dublin at thafc time , as some heavy private matters have eome upon me unexpectedl

y , Avhich must be arranged before my professional work begins again on fche 13 th April . I therefore think it better to state my views on the several points referred to in your letter of the 18 th inst , in their order , at the same time premising that they are merely my own views , and that I cannot undertake that they would be endorsed by our Grancl Royal Arch Chapter . I may at the outset state that when I brought forward the question as

to deputing anyone to represent our Grand Chapter , I was induced cjo do so on the information , contained irr your letters , that the Grand Chapter of Scotland had arranged to be represented . 1 have since learned that sucli arragement was conditional on our sending a representative , As to your 1 st query : In Ireland the Mark Degree is worked exclusively under the control of the Grand Chapter . No separate warrants are issued to hold

Alark Lodges ; but Royal Arch Chapters are , by virtue of their Royal Arch Wnrrrnts alone , empowered to work the Alark Degree . There are separate certificate--, if desired , for the Alark Degree , as it can be conferred on a Master Alason at any time after he has obtained thafc Degree , whereas he must have been registered in G . L . books as a Alaster for six months before he can get the R . A . Degree . All the Supreme Governing Bodies in

Ireland—G . L ., Grand R . A . Chapter , Grand Conclave , Grand Chapter of Prince Masons , and Supreme Council of tbe 33 rd , work in unison , anel recognise each other ; and if any Degree purporting to be Masonic were worked by any Craft Mason , except it was one belonging to the recognised bodies , G . Lodge would at once suspend or expel the offending Brethren . In England G . Lodge only recognises G . Chapter , and hence arises the great difficulty , as we are on amicable relations | wifch both' these grand bodies . According to our system we cannot understand why there should be a G . AI . Masters' Lodge at all . I admit ; ifc is most essential

there should be a supreme governing body , but I cannot see why the Mark Degree should not be worked under the control of the G . Chepter as with us , I think the first step that should be taken is to get your G . Lodge in England to adopt a similar rule as ours , anel recognise the other governing bodies . Until that is done , and that the Grand Mark Lodge is recognised , I cannot say that either G . L . or G . Chapter here will recognise your Grand Alark Lodgeor exceed what has been the rule

hitherto—, that is , to admit as visitors or for alfiliiation Brethren holding your certificates . The difference is very slight , and perhaps when the report of the proceedings at the Conference is submitted to Grand Chapter , it will go the full length of recognising the G . Alark Lodge fully . As to No . 2 : As to carrying out sentences , etc ., that will entirely depend on whether G . Chapter will recognise the G . Alark Lodge as the Governing Body . As to No . 3 :

Under our system , Royal Arch AVarrants must be attached to a Craft Lodge , and the Alark Degree can only be confirmed under a Royal Arch Warrant . Without a total change of our system we could not issue Alark Warrants separately , nor' would wo attach the Degree to Craft Lodges , except as worked under R . A , AVarrants . I am advocating a change of the rule requiring R . A . AVarrants to be attached numericallto Craft Loel and a

y ges , difficulty would thus arise if Mark AVarrants were issued separately . To what body should they he attatched ? To the Craft Lodge or R . A . Chapter ? I think to the Chapter . As to No . 4 : I don't think G . C could either send or receive a representative . AVith us we never receive a representative of any Degree except that of tho particular governing body . All our Degreesup to the 33 rdare looked as successive stepsand

, , upon , yonr G . Lodge might with equal reason ask our Supreme Council of the 33 rd to interchange representatives , as for our G . Chapter to accept a representative of au inferior Degree as the Alark is with us . I mean , of course , inferior in Masonic status . Another great difficulty with us is , that it is believed from the accounts in various Masonic publications that it is intended to work degress under the Mark Warrant which are either superior

to it according to our system , or not recognised as Masonic b y us , aud that has caused great distrust . I write a few lines to Bro . Burdett by this post , asking him to be present , but I wish distinctly to let you understand that he has no power to bind G .