Contents.

CONTENTS .

EDITORIAL : MARK MASONRY SPECIAL GRAND LODGE .. ID UNITED GRAND L ODGE OP ENGLAND 20 THE B OARD OF B ENEVOLENCE 20 S YMBOLS AND L EGENDS OP FREEMASONRY ( REVIEW ) .. 20 THE M ASONIC POET ' S CORNER — - G . A . 0 . T . IT . " .. .. 21 THE C OLONIES—LODSE REPORTS 21

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF THE PUNJAB 21 NOTIFICATIONS 21 ORIGINAL C ORRESPONDENCE AND ANSWERS 22 THE " G OULD " TESTIMONIAL 22 OUR T RESTLE BOARD 23 EVENINGS ABROAD 23

POINT—LEFT—RIGHT 24 ETHICS OF FREEAIASONRV 24 ELECTION OF GRAND TREASURER 24 HIGH TWELVE 25 THE MAGIC SQUARE 25 REPORTS OF LODGES AND CHAPTERS 25 METROPOLITAN AND PROVINCIAL LODGE AND CHAPTER

MEETINGS FORTHCOMING- 20 , 27 , 28 METROPOLITAN LODGES AND CHAPTERS OF INSTRUCTION 20 ADVERTISEMENTS Front cover , IS , 30 . 31 . 32

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

EIE Mark Master Masons of England , and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Grown , are to be congratulated that circumstances haA-e afforded them a far from

anticipated opportunity to secure for the purposes of their Grand Lodge what may he assuredly considered the most

appropriate premises m respect of both site and area which could , at any time , be obtained for their headquarters in London ; and , still further , that they have in the brethren

who constitute their General Board intelligent , farseeing men of action and resource , who do not hesitate to turn the occasion to account in the best interests of the

Order , and that without a moment ' s delay . It is only within the last few weeks that it became known that the business of Bacon ' s Hotel ( between which and Freemasons '

Hall in Great Queen Street , London , the Freemasons ' Tavern is situate ) would be discontinued , and the premises which form , with the Tavern , part of the propertv of the

United Grand ( Craft ) Lodge , bo placed in the market foi disposal . But that short period has been sufficient foi those who have the management of the affairs of the Mark

-Degree to formulate a scheme , and secure agreements , whereby , subject only to the approval of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons , the United Grand ( Craft ) Lodge

of England are to lease the said premises to them for a period of 49 years , the freehold itself not being in any wayobtainable . This formal and solemn approval was given ,

amidst expressions of much satisfaction , at a Special Grand Mark Lodge holden at the Holborn Restaurant on Monday last , the 25 th inst ., under the presidency of the Bight

Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton , M . W . Prov . Grand Master , who stated that the proposition met with the unqualified approbation of H . B . H . the Prince of Wales , the M . W . Grand Master . The proposal was introduced by M . W .

Mark Masonry.

Bro . Eev . Canon Portal , -M ...., Past Grand . Master , and President of the General Board , in a concise and businesslike speech , which , aided by a series of plans of intended

alterations and additions to the present building , enabled the large number of brethren present to understand and appreciate all the advantages to be gained by carrying out the elaborately prepared scheme of the Board's advisers .

The estimates given as to necessary outlay ; the annual rental during term of lease : and the prospects of returns , which might not only lessen but would probably more than meet the same , were thoroughly explained , and were received

with general satisfaction . The able endorsement of V . W . Bro . Frank Richardson , G . Treasurer , in seconding the proposal , still further tended to show the good policy which would attend its adoption ; and the A'ote of the assembly

was unanimously accorded thereto . A few suggestions from several brethren as to matters of detail respecting arrangements to be made for the convenience and comforts o £ the several Lodges , Chapters , and Councils , whose

meetings are likely to be held on the premises when the proposed alterations have been carried out , were received by the President of the Board , and the Special Grand Lodge was closed .

Wc have said that the members of the Mark Master ' s Degree in England have cause for congratulation on the good fortune which enables them to have their Grand Lodge premises in such close proximity to that of the Craft

Grand Lodge , and believe that the step which has been taken will still further advance the best interests of the Order . A glance backward along the road of its magnificent progress , and a retrospect of only the past twenty years ,

cannot fail to impress those who know what has been done during that period , with a deep sense of wonder that so much has been accomplished . The members of the Mark Degree need no reminding as to whose joint efforts this

remarkable progress has been due ; and we hope that when the time comes for utilizing their newly-acquired premises a hearty recognition of the labours of those particular brethren will be accorded to them , for assuredly they have

thereby , crowned an edifice of long , zealous and painstaking service on behalf of the Mark Degree . There was a time when , but for a lowest possible majority , the Degree might have remained part and parcel of the Craft ,

sheltered by the same roof . That now can never be ; nor is it advisable that it should . But how nearly it approaches that shelter , and with what thorough masonic

good fellowship its advances have been met , let the Special Grand Lodge , whose proceedings we have recorded , testify .

The following Grand and Past Grand Officers were present on the above occasion : — Bros . Lord Egorton of Tatton . M . W . Pro . Grand Master ; Oano " Portal , M . W . Past Grand Master ; A . M . Broadley , as R-. W . Deputy