Masonic Interest In Public Affairs.

the Dnke of Sussex opened a Grand Lodge in the State Hoom of the Mansion Honse , the lato Earl of Zetland , Prov . Grand Master North and East Yorkshire , being present as Pro Grand Master , and Bro . Timothy Hutton D . P . O . M . as Depnty Grand Master . Tin-Grand Officers' chairs wero filled by tho corresponding Provincial

Grand Officers . Addresses were presented to His lloyal Highness by tbo brethren of tho two Yorkshire Provinces , and a banquet was afterwards held in the Guildhall , at which tho Grand Master presided , the Master of each Lodge having been previously presented , and received from the Grand Master the right hand of fellowship .

Mark Masonry In Canada And England.

MARK MASONRY IN CANADA AND ENGLAND .

WHERE there is no canon law , no inspired record to govern an institution , there is sure to be a struggle for authority among rival claimants . In matters of religious faith , the appeal is to the law and to the testimony , but where are these to be found of such an age and weight

as to become acceptable in a general or reliable sense to the Masonic body ? Tradition has preserved the genius of Freemasonry ; it has handed down its spirit , it may be from countless ages ; but no fixed laws either for constitution or working 1 . That there were laws in the old time there

is reason to believe , that the ceremonies of to-day may be the same in character as they were two thousand years ago is also possible . What must be admitted is , that there is no proof , nothing but speculation of an imaginative character . The spirit is present ; what shape it shall take ,

and how be controlled , has been left to the decision of those who are the children of circumstances , and who have determined according to the exigencies of each case . Hence it is that there is not one Grand Lodge only , but many Grand Lodges , each claiming equal right to its charter of

independence , and each recognising a common ground of communion . That is so far as Craft Freemasonry is concerned . When a departure is made from a settled foundation to one not recognised , or regarded as doubtful , then the seeds of contention are sown , and

bitterness and strife are likely to succeed . As is sown , so shall the reaping be . It is very difficult to decide between rival claims when liberty of choice is almost unbounded . Only conviction , gained by knowledge and experience , can furnish ground for decision , and time alone can consecrate custom and make it

law . Unfortunately the rivalry of contending systems makes the work slower and less complete than it otherwise would be . Men neglect the Craft for a while in order to bestow time , praise , and attention on other , and as some deem them , higher degrees . The Royal Arch is now the

accepted climax of English Freemasonry . The Mark Degree , against which nothing here is said , or meant to be inferred so far as its purpose is concerned , has no part or lot in the Craft . It stands alone in England , a law unto itself , the arbiter of its own faith and practice , and so far as that

practice is known it has been fruitful of good work . It is well understood that Mark Masonry , although patronised hy men of high estate in the realm , some of whom hold leading positions in the Craft , is not regarded as a necessary part of the fundamental system of Freemasonry that

has now received the seal of time and the sanction of usage . It is not likely to become incorporated with the Craft , nor is it desirable that such a union-should take place . Indeed , Mark Masons themselves disclaim any desire now to disturb the present arrangement . Those

who know most of Freemasonry , who have the greatest right to speak . with authority , contend that the three degrees contain all that is essential , and sure it is that he who can grasp their spirit , master their details , and act up to their teachings and requirements , is fitted to be a God

among men . The Royal Arch is said to put the finishing stroke to the system ; the cap to the pedestal . It supplies something that is lacking in form , and it may be in spirit , but the essential principles , the requisites for the cultivation of the noblest development of morality and true religion are

contained in Craft Masonry . Still it must not be forgotten that the Royal Arch is a noble portion of the whole recognised structure , and those who have passed through

its forms and ceremonies consider that their Masonic education would not be complete without acquaintance with the mysteries of the Chapter . One thing is certain , that Arch brethren are not worse Masons for their increased knowledge ; on the contrary , they profit by their enlarged experience , and probably take a warmer interest

Mark Masonry In Canada And England.

in the Craft in consequence of their Arch knowledge than they otherwise wonld have done . The Arch is a recognised branch or outcome of the Craft , it is governed npon the same lines and is solidly founded . Even wero the merits of the Arch less than they are , its position

would command confidence ; as it is it boasts authority and beauty , and claims completeness . Whatever advantages the Mark degree may possess , it is and * must ever be considered to be something outside of the

established order of Freemasonry in England . Good of itself , as no doubt it is , yet it must depend upon its own merits for sustenance , and if it flourishes at all it must be by nourishment self-contained , so far as this country is

concerned . There is so much heartiness among Freemasons in Canada and America , so much that is noble , earnest and generous , that it seems ungracious to mar the picture with dark lines and ugly features . It is the nature of the people

to go ahead . They have all the energies of Englishmen quickened , and unfortunately their failings are in the same degree accentuated . They love liberty , and sometimes mistake it for license . At any rate they carry its exercise to the verge of extravagance . Less scrupulous than their English

brethren , the Grand Chapters in Canada and America have taken tbe Mark degree under their jurisdiction , and just now a dispute is pending which has already aroused much ill blood , and which it is feared will not terminate without causing a breach that time alone can heal . Bro .

Frederick Binckes asks that judgment should be suspended , and he nobly adds : " Snrely , where the real spirit of Freemasonry prevails means of adjustment of any differences which do exist , or may be supposed to exist , can readily be found . " The hope is worthy of Bro .

Binckes , and every true Mason will be glad if it should prove to be well founded . It is not the purpose here to excite the contention that has sprung up , to add fuel to the fierce fire that burns in the breast of Bro . John H . Graham , P . G . Z . G . C . of Quebec , but only to put the facts briefly ,

and to illustrate tbe ill effects of trying to combine elements that would be best kept separate . The Grand Chapter of Quebec claims complete and absolute jurisdiction over the whole Province . A few years ago , as representatives of Mark Masonry as well as of the Chapters ,

they entered into amicable communion with the Grand Lodge of Mark Masons iu England . Whether the rights held by each were determined at the time , or even discussed , does not appear , and up to about two months ago all was peace and goodwill between the two bodies . It

transpired , however , that the Grand Lodge of Mark Masons in England in May issued a warrant for a new Lodge in Montreal , and also created a new Province . These acts were done , it is alleged , without the slightest intimation to , and in defiance of , the Grand Chapter of

Quebec . The mode of carrying out the acts as well as the acts themselves have aroused , a strong opposition in Canada , and Bro . Graham , who appears to be the mouthpiece of the Quebec Grand Chapter , has hurled forth an anathema worthy of the powerful days of

Popedom . Assuming that his contention is right , it is scarcely warrantable on his part to indulge in the intemperate language that he has used in his letter to Bro . Lord Henniker , M . W . G . M . of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales . His curses are likely to be

as effective as they were in the case of the Jackdaw of Rheims ; it is to be hoped they will not be quite so ridiculous . It is impossible to judge justly until all the facts are known ; at present there is only an ex parte statement to go upon . When the Grand Lodge of Mark Masons of

England has been heard in defence , it will be time enough to draw conclusions , and if necessary to take up cudgels in self-defence . Just now patience and forbearance is necessary in order that what is now considered an intemperate outburst should not degenerate into a lasting

cause of severance and enmity . The Freemason points out what may prove to be a very serious evil affecting the constitution of the Grand Chapter of Quebec . It is asserted that this Chapter is not a legal institution according to the laws of Canada , and as a consequence is not entitled to

recognition . That may be so , hut ifc cannot alter the moral obligations of the Mark Grand Lodge of England . As far as the evidence goes at present , the question of legality was

not in dispute when the two bodies entered into communion , and the conditions then entered into and implied hold good in the present dispute . As a matter of abstract justice it is perfectly right that Freemasons all over the