Masonic Reporting.

has his owa religion , but Freemasonry is a science , and a science cannot have a religion though we see additional proofs of our religion in Freemasonry , just as we also do in geology and astronomy . In this way has Freemasonry been most correctly said to be the handmaid of religion .

Let us also suggest to brethren , that , having joined an ancient and honourable society , they might find more profitable employment than that of attacking its antiquity , and trying to throw doubts on our most honoured traditions .

Personally we are quite content to take Masonry as it is , a great , powerful , and wide-spread society by which great good is effected . Actually existing as such , we do not lay great stress upon the precise time at which it was originated , though we

consider that a most interesting question but we treat the traditions of the Craft , and the opinions of those who believe in them , with respect , and cannot sympathise with those who are anxious to prove Masonry an imposture , and only 150 years

old ! Their conduct is like that of a man , who , having married into an old country family , openly derides the idea of their havintr " come over with

the Conqueror , ' and makes the most elaborate researches in the hopes of proving some ancestor illegitimate , or of discovering some fatal flaw in the family tree ! !

English Mark Lodges.

ENGLISH MARK LODGES .

By CEESCENI . So much misapprehension prevails on this sub - ject , and so many incorrect statements have been put forward by those who oppose that lawful and

Constitutional body , " the G . L . of Mark Masters of England and Wales , and the Colonie s , and possessions of the British Crown , " that we think a few words on it may not be out of place . Tlie Grand Loclge of England recognises tliree

degrees only as belonging to " pure Aitient Masonry , " viz ., those of E . A ., F . C , and M . M ., including the R . A . degree as the completion of the M . M . degree . The R . A . Chapters , however ,

are governed by their own representative bod y , and the Grand Principals and Grand Lodge in no way interfere tlie one with the other .

Now , there are several other Masonic bodies whose practices , though not acknowledged by G . L . as part of " pure Antient Masonry , '' are not at all forbidden by her ; in fact , all members of these

higher degrees must have first taken the three Craft degrees ; and the most distinguished members of Grand Lodge are the leading members in these degrees which have their own governing bodies and rulers such are the Kni ghts Templar ,

the Knights of Malta , the Mark Masters , and the members of the R . » J < degree . The Masonic Knights Templar are not acknowledged by the G . L . of England as working a degree of " pure Antient Masonry " ( how could they when

their's is a purely Chi'istian order , dating only from the time of the Crusades , ) but as K . T . 's they are acknowledged by all other K . T . ' s and their G . M . is received as such .

Let us now see what is the position of the Mark degree in England , and whether it be acknowledged , and if not , why not ? Till about ten years ago there was no governing body of Mark Masters in England many lodges ,

however , worked the degree independently as a side degree , and had done so from time immemorial ; many lodges under the English Constitution in the Colonies also worked the degree at special meetings , and gave their own certificates .

Of course it was highly desirable that , as the G . L . assumed no jurisdiction over this degree , it should be brought under a regular government . All degrees , Craft and others , were once worked thus independently before the Grand Lodges in Great Britain and other countries were formed .

The Scotch Grand Chapter also granted about a dozen warrants to work the degree in Eng ' - land , which were to be withdrawn as soon as they had a governing body of their own . About ten years ago a number of Mark Lodges thus

working in England agreed to form themselves into a Grand Mark Lodge . Some of the Scotch Mark lodges refused to join them , and , I believe , still work under their Scotch warrants . In this irregular course the Scotch Chapter has supported thembyrefusingto acknowledge theEnglish G . Mark Lodge , or brethren made by its authority .