Contents.

CONTENTS .

LEADERS 3 $ 9 The M . W . Grand Master at York 37 ° Lodge of Benevolence 373 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 373 Roval Masonic Institution for Boys 373 Scsqui-Cenlermial Celebration of the Bury . Lodge , No . 43 373 Provincial Grand Mark Lo ^ gc of Dorset 373 Obituarv 373

CORRESPONDENCEThe Girls' School and the " Land Question " 374 The Royal Arch Chapter of Quebec and Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England 374 The Grand Lodge Assemhly at York 374 " The Same Usages and Customs " 375

Notes and Queries 375 The Grand Chapter of Quebec and the Grand Mark Lodge of England 37 s Provincial Grand Lock'e of Herts 370 Provincial Grand Lodge of Suffolk .. 377 REPURTS OK M . \ SOXIC MEETINOSCraft Masonry 37 S

Instruction 380 Royal Arch , 380 Mark Masonry 380 Annual Festival of the Chaucer Lodge of Instruction 3 Sr Picnic of the Sunderland Fratcrnitv 381 The Theatres . ' 381 Masonic and General Tidings 382 Lodge Meetings for Next Week—Page 3 Cover .

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THE York " Grand Assembly " took placeon the iSth inst ., under circumstances of great " eclat , " leaving a pleasing and gracious remembrance alike for the public and the Order . The day was propitious , the attendance of Freemasons very large , the crowds enthusiastic , and our royal GRAND MASTER

received a most loyal and hearty welcome , alike from the serried ranks of his brethren , as from the assembled myriads who thronged the streets of old York . We congratulate all concerned on a truly " alba dies" for Free , masonry in that venerable city , and we refer our many readers to our special

report on the next page . # * * WE call attention to a correspondence elsewhere in respect of the Grand Chapter of Quebec and the Grand Mark Lodge of England . It seems that the Grand Mark Lodge of England has appointed a Prov . Grand Mark

Master for Montreal and chartered two lodges there . Up to the present the Grand Mark Lodge of England and the Grand Chapter of Quebec have been on terms of intercommunion , and amity , and recognition , and have exchanged representatives . In Canada as in America the Mark Degree is under the Grand Chapter , whereas with us the Mark Degree is an

independent degree , and has a Grand Lodge of its own . How far the mutual recognition of the two governing bodies , the Grand Chapter of Quebec and the Grand Mark Lodge of England , prevents the Grand Mark Lodge of England issuing warrants for Mark Lodges in Canada is a question which has two sides to it . Undoubtedly the Mark Grand Lodge ,

if it be a legal body , which it is now admitted to be , can issue warrants for Mark Lodges where there is not a Mark Grand Lodge , and where the English Grand Lodge goes , unless indeed " estopped " by special concordat with co-ordinate jurisdictions . We must say that we think our esteemed Bro . GRAHAM has been very premature in his

movements , since , without awaiting any explanation apparently from Bro . PORTAL , to whom he had written on May 3 rd , at least no reply is set out , on June 23 rd he repeats his complaint to Bro . Lord HENNIKER , and promulgates distinct non-intercourse with , and a quasi excommunication of the Grand Mark Lodge of England . A good deal must turn on the original terms of recognition . If

the Grand Mark Lodge of England recognized the Grand Chapter of Quebec as legally the directing power of the Mark Lodges in Montreal according to the system in vogue , then it is no doubt a " Strongish Order " in 1883 without a word of warning to issue warrants for Mark Lodges , and appoint a Provincial Grand Mark Master . But if the Grand

Mark Lodge of England only recognized the Grand Chapter of Quebec as a friendly body " salvo jure , " then it did not waive its original and indefeasible right as arising out of its position as a Grand Mark Lodge to issue Mark warrants . Strictly speaking the " Mark" has

nothing to do with the " Royal Arch , " in our opinion , and we have always regretted the system in America and Canada , preferring our own simpler and more straightforward arrangement in England , which keeps the three degrees and the R . A . as one great system , leaving the Mark Degree a separate grade altogether , and outside of Craft Masonry proper .

* * * ON one point our friends in Quebec do not seem to be correct in their facts . If our information be correct , which we doubt not , a Mark Lodge was warranted in the district before the formation of the Grand Chapter of Quebec . It is , we apprehend , necessary to read within the lines , that this

question of the Mark jurisdiction is mixed up with the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter jurisdiction questions . The contention of the Grand Mark Lod ge will no doubt be , that where the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of England can go , there they can go too , " pari passu . " But we feel sure , if the

authorities of the Mark Grand Lodge are convinced they have departed from an honourable agreement , or that they have done what is inexpedient and untenable , they will gladly retrace their steps . But the whole question is a very difficult one for many reasons , patent and latent .

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THERE is a very serious point , as connected with the legal position and statusof the Quebec Grand Lodge , which must be faced , however unpalatable it may be to our good brethren there to do so . Are they legal as before the law ? If they be not , if they are not exempt from the penalties of prohibition as affecting a secret society , they cannot exist as a lawful Masonic jurisdiction .

and cease to have any claim as such over their own members , or any standpoint in respect of other bodies . If they are illegal b y the laws of the land they cannot meet lawfully as Freemasons , and are illicit secret associations . We are assuming that the explanation and representation of the Quebec statutes are correct , as lately given in our columns , and if they be

correct , the Quebec Masons must obtain , as the Grand Lodge of Canada did . legislative recognition , and , as the Grand Lodge of Canada did , a retrosp" - - tive legalization . For it is quite clear that until the Grand Lodge of Canada obtained that recognition and retrospective legalization it was also illegal by the statutes . The only actually legal bodies up to that date , according to

the statute of 18 36 , were the lodges holding their warrants from the Grand Lodges in Great Britain . We commend this very serious fact , ( assuming it to be a fact ) , to the serious notice of Bro . GRAHAM and the brethren of the Grand Lodge of Quebec . For such an actuality must seriously affect their position " quoad " other Grand Bodies . As , if they are meeting contrary

to the law of the land , and in defiance of the law of the land , and bring upon themselves the penalties of secret associations , baneful 10 the State , they cannot be held to be by law-abiding Freemasons , whose great canon

ever is " obedience to the law of the land wherever they may be , " otherwise than an unlawful association without any power of jurisdiction , vitality , or perpetuation . We earnestly recommend our Quebec brethren to seek to obtain a legal sanction at once .

# * # THE Quarterly Court of the Girls' School , as was to be expected , put its foot on a proposal of purchase of land at £ 4000 an acre . The meeting was not fully attended j but it was unanimous . It became clear as the discussion progressed that practical men considered the price out of all proportion to

the value of the land itself , or even to the School , and preferred to take the chance of what is threatened , sale by auction , and what that would produce . At present , therefore , the question is at an end . We , however , think the best thanks of the Subscribers are due to the House Committee for so promptly making known to them the offer of Mr . WHITING , through Bro . Lieut .-Colonel CREATON .

# * THE question raised last week indirectly by Bro . J AMES STEVENS is one which we would urge him to let rest . He has expressed his opinions thereanent very fully and clearly ; but we feel sure that on one point he seriously misinterprets the feelings of his brethren generally . As long as it was

a mere question of putting into activity an alleged dormant resolution or body , Masonic zeal and enthusiasm went with him . But the moment it was plain his suggestions , if logically carried out , must lead to one system and one system onl y ; must shut up all lodges of instruction ; must sweep away innocent and cherished local

peculiarities , which have been always permitted , it was equally clear that a very large majority of working W . Ms , and P , Ms . would resent any such unwise interference with that wise toleration which has been unceasingly shown by Grand Lodge on this very question , As we have always said , the difficulties are intense , and would only be realized the moment we

sought to lift the veil which Time and deliberate non-interference have cast over our cherished Masonic usages , customs , and ceremonial . Giving Bro , STEVENS every credit for sincere opinions and good intentions , we invite him , for the sake of peace and rest , to leave the matter where it is . As far as possible we do keep to the " same usages and customs " in matters

nonessential as we do in all things essential ; but it is a very serious thing to interfere with the old and cherished system of lodges , in which there is nothing wrong , and which have been handed down by faithful brethren as

evidences of older working find a local Masonry . Uniformity is a good thing ; but if to attain it we sacrifice the lawful independence of lodges in matters utterly unimportant , we pave the way for ceaseless heartburnings and grave discontents .

# * # WE are given to understand , on unquestionable authority , that it is a complete error to assume , as in our last Freemason the view is apparently enter , tained , that the charge on Past Grand Officers at York was made , or approved of , by the Masonic Committee . It is an "Institutional , " not a Masonic ,

payment , asked to assist to recoup the Institution for the expenses . No blame , therefore , attaches , or can attach , to our good brethren at York in the matter . How far it is consistent with the dignity of Grand Lodge that a portion of its members should pay for their legal attendance , is another matter . But as our brethren in York have had nothing to do with imposing the charge , we think it right to say so .