The Mark Degree.

THE MARK DEGREE .

ELSEWHEBE in our present issue , in speaking of the career of the late Bro . H . G . Warren , for many years editor and part proprietor of the Freemasons' Quarterly Magazine , mention is made of the original introduction of the Mark Degree into England—an event which occurred a matter of about thirty years since . To day we may look around and

find that warrants have been granted for upwards of three hundred and eighty Mark Lodges , the total membership of the Degree at the time of the last

annual return ( 31 st March 1888 ) being 24 , 060 ; while the income for the preceding twelve months , on account of the General and Benevolent Funds , ex * ceeded £ 4000 . This marvellous growth of Mark

Masonry in England , Wales , and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown , is a living monument to the men who , in spite of great opposition and

numerous obstacles , steadily persevered in their desire of establishing it in this country , and it also affords additional and indisputable evidence of the popularity of Freemasonry during the last few years , for it must be remembered that Mark Masonry is essentially an

offshoot of Blue Masonry , and that before it could possibly be as popular , and as widely extended as it has become , a corresnondinff increase must have /

* J . K _ taken place in that which must be regarded as the basis of all Masonry—the Craft Degrees . ' The number of Lodges , the importance of the Mark Lodges , and the splendid roll of its registered

members are not , however , the only points on which the brethren who introduced it into this country may congratulate themselves at the present time . It enjoys the approval and support of the highest in the land , and numbers among its leaders many of

those who take the most active part in conducting the affairs of the Craft . What a contrast to its position of a few years back , when it was regarded with disfavour , and may be said to have narrowly escaped actual extinction , in consequence of the opposition it

met with from Craft Masonry , which even yet does not officially recognise anything beyond the " three degrees of Entered Apprentice , Fellow Craft and Master , including the Supreme Order of the Holy Boyal Arch . " But above all this , Mark Masonry may

be regarded as a strong and rapidly increasing medium for the display of that great Masonic virtue benevolence , the practice of which , in the Mark Degree as in the Craft , is recognised as of paramount

importance . We have , on more than one occasion in the past , spoken in strong terms of approval of the good being done by the Benevolent Fund of Mark Masonry , but it is a subject worthy of continued praise , and a

further reference to it at the present time will not be out of p lace , especially in view of the many calls which are being made on the charitable funds of the Craft , and the enormous number of candidates seeking the

The Mark Degree.

advantages they offer as compared with the number that can be relieved . Briefly , then , we may say that the Fund was established in 1869 , since when a sum of nearly £ 2000 has been distributed in casual grants of

relief ; thirty-seven children have reaped the advantages of the Educational Branch , at a total cost of . £ 1180 , while the expenditure on account of education

and clothing now amounts to about £ 430 per annum ; five Brethren are at present in receipt of annuities , and it is announced that " the Board will gladly

considerthe claims of necessitous Brethren , or Widows of Brethren , being empowered to grant the sums of £ 26 and £ 21 per annum , respectively , to accepted

candidates after election . " We cannot , of course , advise candidates who have a chance of securing the larger annuity provided by the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution to transfer their claims to the Mark

Fund , but it would certainly be well if those who are eligible for the latter , and who have little or no chance of securing a grant from the former , were to consider the advisability of doing so . By this means the Craft Fund would be relieved of

some part of the pressure which is now put upon it , while the Mark Degree would have the opportunity of showing—as we know its supporters would be pleased to do—its readiness and willingness to render as much help as lay in its power . It must not be

supposed tnat we are advocating tne creation or a number of candidates for the bounty of Mark Masonry , but with a Fund established for the purpose of doing good and affording relief , and , above all , in a position to

carry out its objects , we feel justified in pointing out this special feature to the many who are so sorely in need of it . We have sufficient faith in the managers of the Fund to know they will require proper evidence

ol worthiness before they accept a candidate , and we know enough of Mark Masons to be convinced they do not desire even one member of their Order to remain in want while they have the means of affording him relief .

The Old Year And The New.

THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW .

WE have come to another milestone in life ' s pilgrim way . The days of another twelve-month are almost ended , and the year 1888 is about to follow tho procession of the ages and go down into that ever waiting

grave from which there is no resurrection . It is a time when human thought is disposed to sober , tender sentiment , as we muse upon the experiences of the quick passing year , note the changes and losses that have

marked its progress , and meditate upon the uncertainty of all mortal plans and expectations . It is a season when , looking backward , we are moved to indulge in the same

reflections that have exercised the minds of former generations , dwelling like ourselves for a little time in this world all so transitory and full of mystery . Oar thought is : How swifb they go , Life ' s many years , With their winds of woe And their storms of tears ,