Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF BERKS AND OXON . IT may be said that tho members of the Mark Degree have this week had their lines cast in pleasant waters . At any rate those who took part in the gathering at Oxford , on Tuesday , and afterwards assisted at the Crystal Palace , on Wednesday , could not bnt have been

gratified with the success that attended the efforts of those to whom was entrusted the carrying out of the arrangements for these meetings . The members of the Mark Degree are essentially a united family , and in whatever district we may learn it has been decided a meeting

is to be held , we are almost sure to see the same genial spirits , and enthusiastic men with whom we at onco feel there is every chance of enjoying ourselves . The Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Berks and Oxon held its meeting this year at Oxford , under the

bauner of the Alfred Lodge , ' No . 247 . The brethren assembled at the Alfred Misonic Hall , at half past eleven , nnder the presidency of the Right Worshipful Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Jersey , Provincial Grand Mark

Master Mason , who was supported by the Very Worshipful Bro . Charles Stephens , Deputy Prov . Grand Mark Master Mason , and a large number of Present and Past Grand Officers , amongst whom we may enumerate the following :

W . R . Bowden P . P . G . Org ., James Rutland 257 P . P . G . O ., A . H . Simpson 225 , E . J . Trendall Prov . Grand Treasurer , H . D'Almaine W . M . 225 , Edward Margrett P . M . 235 , F . W . Ansell P . M . 247 , W . E . Flanagan P . M . 235 , F . H . Lyon P . M . 27 , G . J . Cosbnrn W . M . 27 , W . Thompson 55 , E . L . Shepherd 225 , Rev . W . Mortimer Heath

P . M . 90 D . P . G . M . Dorset , G . Shanks P . M . 35 , W . W . Morgan , Stephen Knight M . O . 27 , H . H . Hodges P . M . 257 , H . J . Monnt Sec 257 , S . Bradley P . M . 225 , J . R . Wilmer P . M . 325 , F . Ryman Hall W . M . 247 , J . W . Lindars Sec . 235 , W . Graham 27 , W . Frampton

247 , J . M . Dormer 217 , J . H . Dukes P . M . 55 , John Leary 247 , Jamps Jenkin P . M . 247 , H . C . Rogers 55 , H . Green I . G . 235 , E . Head S . W . 27 , J . J . Thomas S . D . No . 1 , F . H . Marvobnroh Secretary 27 , J . B . King J . D . 225 , A . C . Hewitt J . O . 257 , F . J . Ferguson J . D . 235 , W . W . Ridley 235 , H . J . Drinkwater Reg . of Marks 247 .

After the Provincial Grand Lodge had been formally constituted , the roll of Provincial Grand Lodge Officers was called over , and explanations for absence tendered in a satisfactory way . It was then found that the several Lodges in the Province were all adequately represented ,

and the brethren present confirmed the minutes of tho Provincial Grand Lodge held at Reading , 9 th October 1883 . The Report of the Provincial Grand Secretary was next presented ; this was followed by the Report of the Committee of General Purposes , both of which were

received . The Accounts of the Provincial Graud Treasurer showed a balance in hand , after all liabilities had been discharged . On the motion of the Provincial Grand Mark Master , seconded by Bro . Stephens , Bro . E . J . Trendell

was re-elected Provincial Grand Treasurer , and the Provincial Grand Master re-invested Bro . Stephens as his Deputy . The appointment and investment of Officers resulted as follows : —

Bro . H . H . Hodges P . M . 257 Prov . G . Senior Warden F . Ryman Hall W . M . 247 Prov . G . Jnnior Warden Geo . J . Cosburn W . M . 27 Prov . G . Master Overseer H . D'Almaine W . M . 225 Prov . G . Senior Overseer H . W . Homann P . M . ( 239 ) S . W 235 ... ... Prov . G . Junior Overseer

Rev . H . C . Rogers , M . A ., 55 ... Prov . G . Chaplain Rev . A . T . Morland 225 Prov . G . Chaplain B . P . Lascelles , B . A ., 55 Prov . G . Reg . of Marks E . J . Trendell 225 Prov . G . Treasnrer T . J . Pulley 235 Prov . G . Secretary J . W . Lindars 235 Prov . G . Assist . Secretary

William Frampton 247 Prov . G . Inspect , of Works A . H . Simpson 225 Prov . G . Senior Deacon F . H . Marychurch 27 Prov . G . Jnnior Deacon F . J . Ferguson 235 Prov . G . Dir . of Ceremonies B . Challenor jun . 225 Prov . G . Assist . D . of Cers . John O'Leary 247 Prov . G . Sword Bearer

A . C . Hewitt 257 Prov .- G . Standard Bearer E . S . Mackrell 27 Prov . G . Organist E . Head 27 Prov . G . Inner Guard T . R . Vowles 235 ~ ) J . E . Sydeuham [ Prov . G . Stewards

J . B . King 225 ) W . Hemming 3 235 ) ,, n _ . , G . Norwood 55 ... | Prov . G . Tylers

Amongst other matters that were brought uncier the notice of Provincial Grand Lodge was an announcement , made by Bro . Binckes , that a Moveable Grand Lodge would

Mark Masonry.

be held at Exeter on the 6 th August proximo , when Lord Kintore would preside . The Prov . G . Master thanked Bro . Stephens for the continued and valuable assistance he gave ; the Earl of Jersey also referred to the loss the Province had sustained by the death of the Dnke of Albany . Tho ser .

vices rendered to Mark Masonry by the late D . M . Dewar were reccognised , and a vote of £ 3 3 s was unanimousl y agreed to in aid of the fund for that Brother ' s widow . The sum of Five Guineas was voted towards the Mark

Benevolent Fund , and a statement made that the Prov . G . Secretary ( Bro . Pulley ) would serve as Steward at the Festival to be held at the Crystal Palace on the following day . Bro . Homann tendered his services as Steward for the Festival of the same Fund in 1885 .

aud shortly afterwards Provincial Grand Lodge was closed . The brethren immediately repaired to Folly Bridge , where a steam launch was in readiness , and a truly enjoyable trip to Nuneham was indulged in . On arriving at their destination the party inspected the grounds oi Colonel

Harconrt , M . P . for Oxfordshire , and after spending an hour most profitably the return journey was undertaken . A banquet followed , at the Alfred Hall , where the after proceedings were carried out in the same spirit of congeniality that had characterised the work of the day . The

musical ability of a capital glee party was well exercised , and the efforts of Brother Rowley , who superintended this feature of the days proceedings , were cordially recognised . The members of the Alfred Lodge , who conceived and so well carried out the arrangements , deserved , as they

received , the thanks of all who were present . On the invitation of Brother D'Almaine it was arranged that the next annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge should take place at Abingdon , under the banner of the Abbey Lodge , No . 225 .

Mark Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund.

MARK GRAND LODGE BENEVOLENT FUND .

THE Annual Festival in Aid of this Fund was celebrated on Wednesday , at the Crystal Palace , Sydenham . The R . W . Bro . J . WoodallWoodall , Provincial Grand Master of N . and E . Yorkshire , presided , and was supported by an influential body of Stewards and prominent members of

the Mark Degree . As usual at this Festival the menu had been carefully considered , and the arrangements throughout were as complete as on former occasions . After the cloth had been cleared the first toast—The Queen and Mark Masonry—was introduced , and heartily responded to . The second toast—The M . W . Grand Mark Master

Mason , the Right Hon . the Earl of Kintore—met with a hearty reception , the Chairman making graceful allusion to the services of the Earl of Kintore . After reference had been made to the Past Grand Mark Masters , Bro . Lloyd Jones Parry , M . P ., proposed the health of the R . W .

Depnty Grand Mark Master Mason , the Lord Egerton of Tatton , and the Grand Officers , Present and Past , Bro . Henry Venn , acknowledging the toast . As tho senior Grand Officer present he thanked Bro . Parry ; he was exceedingly erateful to the . Graud Master for making him

a Grand Officer ; but he felt the compliment was not so much bestowed upon him as upon the Old Kent Lodge . Personally he could not be known to the Grand Master , and therefore he thought it was the services rendered generally , by various Lodges in the Provinces and in

London , to the Charities , that brought the brethren under notice . To advance the cause of charity was an object all Masons should have in view . Lodges as well as individuals should subscribe ; however , he found that it was the same individuals year after year who contributed both to this and

the other Masonic Charities . He wished to see the practice more universal , and then the great funds would be greater . He trusted the brethren present would stimulate others with whom they were associated to join in contributing to the Charities .

Sir Pryse Pryse proposed the health of the chairman . In reply Bro . Woodall said that living so far as he did from the great metropolis he had hardly thonght he should have been in a position to preside on such an occasion . Throng h the kindness of the brethren , however , the duties imposed

on him were of so light a nature as to afford him great p leasure in attending . He thanked the brethren for their oresence , and he thanked the brethren of the Mark Lodge for their gieat kindness to him during his Masonic career . He was a Mason of many | years' standing , but he had