The Mark Grand Lodge And The Prince Of Wales.

THE MARK GRAND LODGE AND THE PRINCE OF WALES .

rpHOUGH tbe Mark degree is not recognised as constituting any part of Antient Free and Accepted Masonry , as denned in the Book of the Constitutions of the United G . Lodge of England , ifc has long been regarded as a worthy adjunct of tbe second degree , which might

legitimately be cultivated in a separate organisation . Ifc has from the very commencement received countenance and support from onr most conspicuous brethren in the Craft . Lord Leigh , a sound constitutional Mason , was its first Grand Master , and he was succeeded by our present Pro

Grand Master ( Craft ) . Oar Deputy G . Master has likewise occupied the throne of Mark Masonry , as also have such other worthy brethren of distinction as Bros . Viscount Holmesdale , W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Rev . Canon Portal , Earl Percy , M . P ., and the Earl of Limerick , while

it is nofc so very long since thafc H . R . H . the Dnke of Albany , the Prince of Wales ' s , youngest brother , was installed as Past G . M . M . M . Possibly it may have been this circumstance which led to the interesting ceremony of Tuesday . At all events , at the last Summer

Halfyearly Communication of Mark G . Lodge it was announced — and it is needless to say fche announcement gave the utmost satisfaction to the brethren of the degree—that

H . R . H . the Prince of Wales was anxious , without compromising his position as G . Master of Craft Masonry , to be advanced to the degree . This was followed by another announcement to the effect thafc the Grand Master would

confer on His Royal Highness on some suitable occasion the degree of Past G . M . M . M ., with seniority next in order to the G . Master . Accordingly , on Tuesday , a special meeting of Mark G . Lodge was held in fche Masonic Hall at 33 Golden-square , in the presence of a full attendance of

the Grand Officers for the year , and of other high dignitaries of the Order . The ceremony of advancement was most ably and gracefully performed by the Prince ' s own brother H . R . H . the Duke of Albany , the Chair of S . W . being occupied by Bro . W . W . B . Beach , and that of J . W .

by Bro . 0 . F ., Matier . This done , Lord Henniker M . W . G . M . M ., in the presence of a Board of thirty-four P . M . ' s , solemnly installed H . R . H . in the Chair of A ., after which followed an interchange of mutual felicitations , and Grand Lodge was closed in ample form and with the

accustomed ceremonial . We heartily congratulate our brethren of the Mark Degree on the' occurrence of so auspicious an event . It will assuredly influence for good

the future fortunes of the Grand Lodge , although there is no doubt these had already been firmly established . Be it added that the following constituted the attendance on the occasion , namely : —

Bro . Efc . Hon . Lord Henniker G . M . M . M . H . B . H . Dnke of Albany , K . G . ... P . G . M . M . M Rev . Canon Portal Prov . G . M . Hants" ) ppu 1 , rl . r and the Isle of Wight j P . G . M . M . M W . W . B . Beach , M . P P . G . M . M . M

Col . Sir Francis Bnrdett , Bart ., Prov . G . M . Middlesex and Surrey John Watson , J . P .. Prov . G . M . Notts General Lord Wolseley , G . C . B . ... G . S . W

Hon . Arthur H . Henniker ... . ... G . J . W General J . S . Brownrigg , C . B . ... " \ Colonel Shadwell H . Gierke ( prn Captain N . G . Philips ,.. C r > tr - C . F 'Matier ;

The Mark Grand Lodge And The Prince Of Wales.

Henry R . Hatherly G . M . O . Colonel C . E . Bignold G . S . O . S . G . Kirohhoffer G . J . O . Rev . E . H . Crate ") r p . „•„ - „„ Rev . P . J . C . de Crespiguy j ' ** P , alus Rev . C J . Martyn D . P . G . M . of E ^ } P . G . chaplaiM Anglia ... ... ) r

Frederic Davison G . Treasurer H . C . Levander , M . A G . Registrar Frederick Binckes P . G . W G . Secretary D . M . Dewar P . G . M . O G . Assistant Secretary Geo Cooper | GgD Dr . Brodie j

Robert Harwood _ PTT . T . J . Railing ] tr . J . l * . R . W . Edis , F . S . A G . Insp . of W . Robert Berridge ... ... CD . ofC . Geo . Dalrymple G . A . D . of C .

Controller S . G . Bake ... G . S . Bearer w w I .- _ | G . Std . Br . Wm . Watkins j

E . M . Lott P . G . O as G . Org . J . H . Banks ... G . I . G . . Thomas Taylor ... " William March John 0 . Marsh J . S . Cumberland j- G . Stewards George Ker

W . C . Gilles John Tomkins . George Austin as G . Tyler

Dangerous Tendencies.

DANGEROUS TENDENCIES .

CRAFT Masonry is the basis upon which all other cognate systems are built . It is complete of itself ; easily understood , yet abstruse ; simple , yet recondite . These terms , in their nakedness , appear paradoxical ; and so . they are to fche uninitiated . To the enlightened , they embody common truths , which only differ in degree

according to the intellectual and moral standpoint from which they are viewed . Ifc is no injustice to the brethren to say that the great majority of them are lay members , whose faith is greater than their knowledge : the few only drink deep of the spiritual essence of the Institution , and

in consequence become teachers and rulers . The humblest brother , however , can appreciate the general lessons inculcated by the ceremonies ; all can participate in their simple and universal principles , while inexhaustible fields of inquiry are left open to the most erudite . The

comprehensiveness of Freemasonry is one of its great distinguishing characteristics , which places it above all other human institutions . It embraces all the virtues , and its principles are co-existent with the soul of man . Like all other human institutions , however , it is subject to

abuse , and great care is necessary to preserve it from corruption . It is surrounded with temptations , and these are apt to lead men to forget the spiritual teachings of -freemasonry . There is the pride of office , which some seek .- to gratify at the sacrifice of duty and family

obligations . The lust of power and position tempts many into ways that are seductive and dangerous , and produces that feeling of inequality which destroys the life of the Oi'der . Ifc induces them to become lavish in expenditure ,

to indulge in excessive social enjoyments , and to lose sight of the hi gher qualities of the Craft . One of the common vices of prosperity is to ignore fundamental truths , to forget tbat these alone are the foundations upon which