A Peculiarity Of Mark Masonry.

latter Lodge has had an uninterrupted existence of almost a century , and thus by many years predates any of the existing regular ^ Mark Lodges now working in either of the two counties . We confess we . do not understand why this is called a Grand Lodge , as no Grand Lodge can exist without constituent Lodges .

Mark Masonry was , to some extent , worked in Yorkshire last century ; and there was also a Lodge at Blackburn termed the " Arch Mark , " , but the founder of the Ashton Mark Lodge" is reported to have been a non-commissioned officer who had received the degree inTndia , assisted possibly by members of the

degree whom he found living in the neighbourhood of Ashtonunder-Lyne . Originally it was called ¦ _ the " Mark , Link , and Ark . " The " Link " , is now absorbed in , the " Mark , " and the " Ark" was a short account corresponding to the degree now practised as the " Ark Mariner . " The body has always met

quarterly , on a Sunday afternoon , under the Warrant of some Cheshire or East Lancashire Lodge , at the place where they might decide to hold the meeting , such as Mottram-in Longdendale , Glossop , Hyde , Stalybridge , Dukinfield , Ashtonunder-Lyne , & c . The meetings were and still are numerously attended . .

The Lodge at first granted no certificates . It did not do so indeed , until about 1855 , when a small parchment certificate was adopted , with a rough porch-like structure in wood block , and the motto of the Order in Mark character . This was issued at a charge of 5 s Id to -those desirous of possessing one . The

advancement fees , ( 10 s 6 d ) all go to form a funeral and sick fund for . members in indigent circumstances , the cost of refreshments , usually a high tea , being defrayed , pro rata , by the members

present . The Lodge has at different times been called the " . Cheshire Mark Lodge" and " Travelling Mark Lodge , " the latter because its meetings are held in the several towns in the district , each town being favoured in fairly regular rotation .

All . the petitioners of Lodge No . 31 , " Fidelity Lodge of Mark Master Masons , " now meeting at the Mission Rooms , 9 Hamilton Street , Birkenhead—the only Mark Lodge in Cheshire warranted by Lord Leigh , the first Grand Master of Mark Masons of England and the Colonies and Dependencies of the

British Crown—were , members of the older body , and its want of success at Hyde , where it originally went , was largely due to the influence of that body . Hence the necessity of its removal to Birkenhead , where it is now firmly established as a Past Masters' Lodge , its first W . M . Bro . John Yarker , as well as Bro .

Adolphus Eicholtz , two of the founders , initiates of the old Mark body , being still active members . The question naturally suggests itself—Why should this old and venerable Mark Lodge still hold aloof from the Grand Lodge presided over by H . E . H . ? This is all the more remarkable , because many of its members

hold high Provincial rank under the Grand Mark Lodge of England , and . who . on being placed in the chair of the regular Lodge to which they are affiliated , must have taken the usual obligation of an installed Master , viz ., " to uphold the authority and supremacy of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England , & c . "

When the Craft Grand Lodge was formed in 1717 , many Lodges did hot at once throw in their allegiance , but in . the course of a decade or two after that event most of them did' so ,

and are now numbered amongst ancient Lodges under the great banner of England , and are justly proud of their position on the register of the oldest Grand Lodge in the world . Some few never bent the knee , and of these not one now remains—all are

extinct . In Scotland the old independent Lodges possessed greater vitality , the last of them to join the Grand Lodge of Scotland being the old Lodge of Melrose , with existing records of some 300 years , and a traditional history of 300 years or more . It is

only within the last . decade that this Lodge has joined the Grand Lodge of Scotland , with the seniority of No . 1 bis . Surely some arrangement might be made with the Mark Grand Lodge of England , ' by which this old Lodge of Ashton might extend its usefulness , and occupy a proud position amongst the Time

Immemorial Lodges on the roll of Grand Lodge . We feel confident that the genial and ever courteous Grand Secretary , Bro . Charles F . Matier , himself an old resident in the district , and a Past Deputy Grand Master of Lancashire , would see that

this very eminent Mark Lodge received every consideration and all prominence in the councils of the Mark Degree . May the time not be far distant when either Lancashire or Cheshire will be honoured with this Time Immemorial Lodge to head their list of Provincial Lodges , under the Grand Mark Lodge of England .

The Honourable United Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of the Ashton-under-Lyne District recently held its quarterly meeting , which was the occasion of the annual Installation of Grand Master , under the auspices of the Craft Lodge of Endeavour , No . 830 , at the Queen ' s Arms Hotel , Dunkinfield , when Bro . Edward Davies W . M . of Endeavour

A Peculiarity Of Mark Masonry.

,. Lodge , attended with all his Officers , and opened the Lodge through the Three Symbolic Degrees . The chair was taken by the Grand Mark Master Bro . Dr . Foreman P . J . G . W . Lane ., who opened the Grand Mark Lodge in accordance with ancient custom .

The Grand Secretary presented the minutes and recited the record of attendances at the previous meeting , which , were confirmed .

The Auditors' report , which showed a substantial financial balance , although unusual expense had been incurred , was adopted . The following Brethren were proposed , approved of , duly

presented , and advanced to the degree of M . M . M . in strict conformity with the ancient usages , by the G . M ., viz ., Bros . Harry Downs P . M . Eoyal Edward , No . 1088 , Stalybridge ; John Henry Maxwell , James S . Bogie , and Nathan Buckley , Endeavour Lodge , No . 830 , Dunkinfield .

The Installation was then proceeded with , the G . M . requesting Bro . Walter Newton P . G . M . M . P . S . G . D . Lane , to act as S . G . W ., Bro . A . W . Siddall P . G . M . M . P . P . G . S . O . Lane , to act as J . W ., and Bro . James Bromley P . G . M . M . P . P . J . G . D . Lane , to act as I . G .

Bro . John T . Armitage I . P . G . M . M . presented the G . M .-elect ( Bro . James Eadeliffe , the oldest member of the Lodge , having been advanced in October 1865 ) , who was duly obligated and installed as Grand Mark Master in accordance with the ancient rites and all the ceremonial observances of the Order by the retiring G . M . M ., who likewise delivered the charges to the G . M . and the Brethren .

l The Grand Officers for the coming year were invested as follow : Joseph Hulme P ; M . S . W ., Peter Hopley J . W ., Aaron W . Siddall P . G . M . P . P . G . S . O . Lane . Treasurer , James Fitton P . G . M . Sec , Edwin Marshall S . D ., John T . Hulse J . D ., Walter Newton P . G . M . P . P . G . D . Lane . D . C , Edward Davies W . M . I . G . iDanie Birkby I . G . —

' . Bro . Joshua Woolley P . G . M . M . P . Pr . G . S . B . Lane , gave the charge to the Officers . The Grand Lodge was closed in peace , love and harmony , a ' cecording to ancient custom . Nearly forty of the Brethren remained afterwards and partook of the bread of plenty , and the cup of cheerfulness , in moderation , being presided over by the Grand Master .

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