Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

DURHAM . CABLISLE . — Cumberland- Lodge ( No . CO ) . —This lodge was opened on Tuesday , Sept . 6 th , at the Ereemasons' Hall , Carlisle , by the AV . M ., Bro . F . W . Haywood , S . G . D ., assisted by P . M ., Bro . C J . Banister , P . S . G . Overseer , and tho officers of this lodge . The ballot was taken for several brethren , and Bro . Edward Budher being in attendance , was regularly advanced to the Mark Master ' s degree by Bro . C . J . Banister , P . M ., in his usual earnest style . Business over , the brethren adjourned to refreshments , and spent- a very happy hour .

Canada.

CANADA .

ROYAL ARCH . GEAND CIIAPTEE . The seventh annual convocation of this grand body was held in the Masonic Hall , Quebec , on Tuesday , the 9 th ult ., M . E . Comp . T . Douglas Harington , G . Z ., presiding . The Grand Chapter having been duly opened , tho G . Z . was pleased to deliver an address , in which this branch of the Order was shown

to be in a highly flourishing condition . The reports submitted to the Grand District Superintendents were also of the same tenor . Routine business was then transacted , after which the officers for the current year Avere chosen .

ADDEESS . To the Most Excellent tlie Grand Chapter of Eoyal Arch Masons of Canada . Companions , —Por the first time since the Craft of Canada has been established in its present independent and honourable position in the Masonic world , one of its Sovereign bodies meets in this most interesting , historical , ancl hospitable city of Quebec , and I am well leased to be the presiding officer to proclaim a

p welcome to each and every companion now visiting it , and express the hope that the visit may result in pleasure and satisfaction , and that gratifying reminiscences may arise in after times when it happens to be talked over . _ AA e are now assembled to hold our Seventh Annual Convocation , and especially are we bound , as recipients of God ' s bounty and mercyto take this opportunitof acknowleding our deep

, y g debt of gratitude , and offer our earnest thanks to Him for our prosperous condition , for sparing us to meet again together , and for the many blessings He has been pleased to confer upon us . I must ask your indulgence for my present address . I still feel the effects of illness , chiefly brought on by excessive heat , and much Masonic labour , gone through at the recent meeting of

Grand Lodge at Hamilton , ancl in consequence I am unable , as I intended , to enter fully into various subjects of interest appertaining to capitular Freemasonry , and which I wished to make mention of . I must , therefore , leave to your united counsel the

inauguration of such matters as may be . deemed beneficial to the Boyal Craft . The principal recommendation I feel it to be my duty to offer , is the revision of the Constitution . My worthy predecessor stronglyurged this at the last convocation of Grand Chapter . A committee for this special purpose should bo appointed , unless you think proper to leave it to your Principals . In either case a report should be prepared , embodying a move perfect and

extended code of laws , not dependent upon Craft Masonry as they are now ; such , report to be sent for consideration to each subordinate chapter a , t least three months before the annual communication in 1865 , and be then submitted , with all other suggested alterations , for final adoption . Our subordinate chapters are , I have reason to believe , working harmoniously and successfully , hut the reports of the several Grand Superintendents will give full information on this head .

I have to report one additional chapter , viz .: —The Mount Horeb , held at Montreal . The petition came from certain companions belonging to the Victoria R . A . Chapter on the Registry of England , and was accompanied by a formal surrender of their English warrant under the circumstances , and after consulting the Grand Superintendent of the Montreal District I looked upon it in the light of an affiliation , and ordered a Canadian warrant to bo issued instead , free of fee except for registration , which action I request Grand Chapter to confirm . i Our relations with sister bodies are of the most amicable nature , and their proceedings are duly received by the Grand

Scribe E . A report on foreign correspondence is desirable , for which a special committee should be nominated . It is my duty to submit a letter received from the Grand Chapter of Ireland relating to one of her subordinates , No . 209 , holden at London , C . YV ., and the delivering up of some property , said to be improperly retained by one of our chapters . This should receive early attention , anil be fairly and justly arranged .

I have granted several dispensations during the year , sanctioning special elections of Principals , and thereby enabling the chapters interested to continue their labours . It is extremely difficult , under tbe existing restrictive law , to avoid having recourse to the dispensing power . Your Treasurer and Grand Scribe E . will report on the financial condition of the subordinate chapters , ancl the general stato of Grand Chapter funds . The latter Avere so far improved as to enable me to order tho payment of a portion of tho sum due to that very able and indefatigable officer , R . E . Comp . T . B . Harris .

Last year my predecessor took loyal notice of the auspicious marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales . It is my pleasing privilege to make mention of the birth of a Prince , the first fruit of that union , and an event which has given comfort to our widowed Sovereign—diffused joy throughout the British Empire , and to tho well-known loyalty of the Craft been a welcome source of congratulation . May the illustrious parents—the hope and pride of the nation—have continuallincreasing happinessand

y , may God save and bless the Queen . The miserable civil war still exists in the neighbouring states , causing ruin and grief throughout the land ; but Freemasonry , though it cannot prevent , has there proved its benificent power , to mitigate suffering and distress ; and our Order will ever be found side by side with mercy and humanity , provided its numerous members are only true to its attributes and themselves .

Peace reigns within our borders , for which we should be deeply grateful to the Most High . May he continue to regard favourably our common country—one destined , it would clearly seem , to a brilliant future—and may His blessing be and remain upon us ancl all belonging to us , and our present proceedings . So mote it be . T . DotreiAS HABIK ' GTOS ' , Quebec , Sth August , 18 G 4 . Grand Z .

GEAND OFFICERS FOE 1864-65 . M . E . Comp . T . Douglas Harington G . Z . R . E . „ A . A . Stevenson G . H . „ „ Charles D . Macdonnell G . J . „ „ Thomas B . Harris G . Scribe E . „ „ Denis Gale G . Scribe N . „ „ Thomas MeCraken G . Treas . ,, „ Henry Dmnhle G . Reg .

„ ,, Marcellns Crombie G . Prin . Soj . V . E . „ Alex . Duncan G . 1 st . Assist . Soj . „ „ John A . Noel G . 2 nd Assist . Soj . „ „ Arunah Huntington G . Sword Bearer . „ „ AV . G . I'armelee G . Stand . Bearer . AVm . McGhie G . Dir . of Cers . „ „ AV . M . Jamieson G . Org . „ „ S . H . Blondheim G . Pursuivant .

„ „ John AV . Murton " A » » A » gus Grant C G . Stewards . „ „ Charles Joncas 1 ,, ,. John Button J

GEAND DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS . R . E . Comp . Charles ICahn London District . „ „ David Curtis AVilson District . „ „ James Seymour Hamilton District . Not represented Toronto District . „ „ E . J . Barker , " Central District . „ „ Thomas Milton Montreal District . „ „ H . L . Robinson E . TownshipsDist .

„ „ Richard Pope Quebec District . Al ; the close of the proceedings , the Quebec Companions entertained the Grand Officers and visitors at a supper in the Music Hall , Comp . Chalmers discharging his duties as caterer in the most recherche manner . The attendance was large and respectable , and the conviviality unalloyed . The customary loyal and Masonic toasts were drunk with all the honours , after which song and sentiment were freely indulged in till an early

hour , Avhen the party separated , AVCII pleased with the result of the first meeting of the Grand Chapter of Canada at the ancient capital . The next annual convocation will be held at Prescott , on the 2 nd Tuesday in August , 1865 .