Mark Masonry.

- pro tern as , S . AV . ; Rev . C . Pettat , J . AA " . ; E . S . Cossens , S . D . and Reg ; . The Prov . G . Master commenced the proceedings with an explanatory address , in the course of which he stated that the opening of the Mark Lodgo had been in abeyance some time , their warrant being dated as far back as 1858 . They had lately had an excellent example set them by the brethren at Winchester , ancl at last had availed themselves of an opportunity to carry out what had so long been in contemplation . He sincerelhoped the lodge

y constituted that day would prove an honour to the brethren , ancl reflect credit upon the province . He held an exalted Masonic degree in the province , and he could but congratulate them upon the further propagation within it of the Mark degree . The brethren around him had taken such a vivid interest iu the affair that he could but believe they had the promotion of the degree in their hearts . The proper ceremonies having then been duly

worked by the distinguished brother , the AV . M . Bro . AV . S . Portal was duly installed as the first AV . M ., the Rev . Charles Pettat , as S . W ., ancl Bro . J . W . Lamb , as J . AV . ; Bro . Ford , S . D . ; Bro . J . May , J . D . ; Bro . R , S . Hulbert , D . C ; Bro . Powell , Organist ; Bro . How , Sec . and Reg . ; Bro . Knight , I . G . ; Bro . Hall , O . G . ; the W . M ., the Prov . G . Master , kindly consenting to act as Treasurer . Bros . Powell , AVilks , and J . Hall ( 957 ) were duly advanced to this honourable degree , the latter by dispensation as the Tyler . The

W . M . Bro . Portal , on entering upon his new position , made a few appropriate remarks to the assembled lodge , ancl congratulated the brethren on tbe presence and assistance afforded by the masonic brother who had just so ably officiated . The AV . M . after his iustallaatiou v / as obliged , by pressing emergency , to leave , and the ceremony of advancement was most effectively performed by the Prov G . Master , who delivered the lecture belonging to this degree in the most satisfactory mannerIt was the most interesting feature of

. the meeting . The presiding AA . M , proposed a vote of thanks to the brethen of the Porchester Lodge ( No . 27 ) , who attended from such a distance to assist in the ceremony , and who had on this occasion provided them with the necessary furniture , the vote was carried with acclamations . Bro . H . E . Astley , as the AV . M . 27 responded to the vote in the most encouraging manner as regards this new loclge , and expressed his decided conviction that supported as it was by

most of the eminent brethren of the Oakley Lodge , hearty co-operation , and success , would most assuredly attend it . The ' lodge was prc-- ' 6 * -lv clnsfwb mid . aftftv re-fi-p-shiuo-if- tli . b . - .-t-h ! - * " - r ^ tii' ? ' ! t ^ li- ^ lit- ^ tl with the evenings proceedings .

LANCASHIRE ( EAST ) . M .-U'CHESTEE . — Union Lodge ( No . 46 , E . G . ) . —This lodge met on Monday , the 17 th ult ., at the Masonic Rooms , Manchester , when Bro . Lyons Wright was duly installed as AV . M . by Bro . Yarker P . M ., 31 , assisted by Bro . S . P . Leather , AA ' . M ., 31 . ' The following Officers were appointed . —Bros . John Bradley , S . AV . ; J . C . peatson , J . AV . ; Baldwin , Chap . ; J . H . P . Leresehe , Sec . ; Charles Afflick ,

Reg . Mks . ; J . F . Pollitt , D . of M . I . C . ; Joseph Eltoft , S . D . ; Kennedy , J . D . ; Allin , J . G . ; Hogg , Tyler . Four brethren were then duly advanced to the honourable degree of a Mark Master , several others , who were not in attendance , having- heen ballotted for and elected . The loclge at present holds its meetings monthly ; and , we trust , will have a long and prosnerous career . At present there appears no lack of candidates for the degree , if numbers tend to insure it .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

METROPOLITAN . MOUNT ZION CHATTF . K ( No . 1 G 9 ) . —Tne first convocation of the season ivas held on Monday , October S , at Radley ' s Hotel , New Bridge Street . Present E . " Comp , Henry Muggeridge , as Z . ; J . How as H .,- H . Parr , J . ; Comps , Partridge , Goodwin , and others . It was resolved that at the next meeting a new code of bye-laws should be taken into consideration . A Brother of the Neptune Lodge was proposed , and after the discharge of thc routine business , the chapter was closed iu solemn form , and the companions adjourned .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE .

SOTREltE CO ' L'XCTL OE SOA'EllEIGS GBAt'D INSPECTORS O-E . YCTAI , This council held a convocation of the order for the puruose of conferring the degree of Grand Elected K . H ., on Tuesday , October 9 th , at Freemasons Tavern . The members present ivere : —the Ills . Bro . Dr . 11 . B . Leason , Sov , Gd . Commander ; tiie 111 . Bro . H . G . A'igne , ( .. Treas .-Generiil ; thc III . Bro . Jolm A . D . Cox , G- Sec-General ; the HI . Bro . H . II , Bowyer , aud the 111 . Bro . Ueorge B . Cole , G . Inspector-General . The Chanter was opened at five , p . m ., the 111 . Bro . Cox performing the ceremony , in which he

was assisted by tho 111 . Bro . Cole , as Grand Marshal , the 111 . Bro . Rev . AA * . Bowyer , ( 32 ) , as Prelate ; the 111 . Bro . Lieut .-Col . H . Clerk , assisting ; the 111 . Bro . J . Hoiv , was on this occasion appointed Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies . The names of the following sovereign princes , Rose Croix , were submitted to the brethren for advancement . The Rt . Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon ; the Hon . AA " . H . North ; Joseph Braithivnite , Col . Alexander , F . Tulloh , CaptHenry KingR . N . A . ; Capt . Robert BoyleRADrStuart

, , , .. ; . Tullock ; and J . H . Barney ; and , being approved , they were instituted as Knights of the Black and AA'hite Eagle , and Knights K . H . There were also present besides those named the III . Bros . Dr . Keddel , Dr . Randolph , Dr . AA . Jones , Col . D-mbury , AAlUinm Smith , Louis Lemanski , J . AV . Figg , and others . The III . Bro . Noel Henriquez , ( 320 , ) of France , was welcomed as a visitor , and acknowledged the pleasure he felt in behig thus kindly received .

The 111 . Sov . G . Com . at the conclusion of the ceremony addressed the newly admitted brethren on the ineffable degrees in the Ancient and Accepted Rite , tracing its origin and transmission from the rites of early people . He considered it was with the priesthood of Egypt that they had the first trace of the mysteries which had since grown into the Institution of Freemasonry . They adopted a a secret mode of writing , by means of which they were enabled to with another

correspond one . He referred to a copy of an Hebrew M . S . of the second century , which proved that the Israelitish priests had similar methods of writing . The heiroglyphics on the Egyptian monuments ivere of this character . From E-n * pt and Arabia these practices passed into Europe , probably in the time of the Crusades . The Cabalistic mode of writing was a favourite practice with the Jewish Doctors who had an extensive dictionary

, for transmuting alphabets which could only be understood hy those who possessed the key , and in ancient Masonry the various words of the different degrees were thus formed . These methods were undoubtedly introduced into Europe by these Jewish Cabalists , the truths of revealed religion were to a certain extent concealed , as many words of the Old Testament required the key . From these learned Doctors these mysteries passed to the Rosy Crucians , the

earliest Masonic body connected with the Crusades , and the earliest application of the art of printing was to aid the dissemination of secret organisation . The Rosy Crucians were misunderstood , and , whilst engaged in their researches after Divine Truth their members we ™ exposed to the persecution and oppression of the ignorant . For many useful inventions the world was indebted to their patient labours . Many of the early Rosy Crucians were of the medical professionand they were supposed to be possessed of

, a medicine to heal all diseases ; whilst they were supposed to be in search of the Philosophers Stone they were in reality investigating the truths of Christianity . The Ada Latomarum stated that the first Masonic society originated early in the seventeenth century with the Rosy Crucians . He beleived it was then that Masonry took its present shape , though in the troubles of the Commonwealth it was for a time suppressed . The rites of the degrees under which they ivere then assembled

continued to be practised , for the degree of Knight K . H . was formall y recognised by the Grand Lodge of England , in 1717 , under the Grand Mastership of John Duke of Montagu , when " all Lodges were ordered to pay all respect to the authority of the Knights Kadosh . " He referred to the constitutions of 1720 , which showed that nearly the whole of Masonry ivas then operative , and with all was Christianity recognised ; then-documents began , — "" In the name of the Holy and undivided Trinity ; " and this was continued until 1813 . He alluded to the fact that from

the earliest period of the human race , and among the Brahmins , there was always an anticipation of the coming Messiah . He might refer them to the beautiful monument to John Gower , in St . Saviour ' s Church , which showed that this , the earliest British poet , was a Rosy Crucian ; and on a purple and gold band , with fillets of roses , which encircled his bead , ivere the words , " Mercie . Ilia . " 'Ihe learned brother sketched the history of modern Masonry , and the union of the ancient

and modern Masons , and slightly alluded to Templarism , and other rites that had been engrafted on the Masonic Institution ; ancl concluded with passing an eulogium on the degree in which they ivere then assembled , as containing iu allegory the most sublime truths , as well as teaching the great duties of man to God , and his neighbour . The chapter was then closed , and several ot the brethren , assembled at tbe banquet . The 111 . Bro .

Leeson presided . After removal of the cloth , and the toasts had been duly honoured , Bro . Cox said the duty devolved upon him , as a senior member of the Supremo Council , to propose the health ofthe Grand Commander ofthe Order . He referred to the untiring energies of Bro . Leesoihimd especially alluded to the opportunity they had that day of witnessing the great extent of his learning , and of his devotion to the interest ofthe Order . Bro . LEESoy ' afeer acknowledging the liment

comp , said he had presided over the order for a much longer period than he anticipated . He was amply rewarded , for be never came among them but he ivas welcomed in the warmest manner . He v .- as proud to say , that foriega countries looked to the