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dcmtents . PAGE . The Mark Degree—By Reitam 1 Social Influence of Masonry 2 The Haughfoot Lodge and Speculative Masonry—By R . S 3 How I Spent my Five Weeks'Leave 4 Masonic Notes and Queries 7 Correspondence 8

Masonic Mems 10 CRAJ-T LODGE MEETINGS : — Metropolitan 10 Provincial 10 Scotland 13 Royal Arch 14 Mark Masonry 14 Theatrical and Musical Notes 15

Presentation to Bro . W . H . Crooke , Prov . G . S . Durham 18 Poetry lg Scientific Meetings for the Week 19 List of Lodge , & c , Meetings for ensuing week 19 To Correspondents 20

The Mark Degree.

THE MARK DEGREE .

LONDON , SATURDAY , JANUARY 1 , 1870 .

By REITAM . The extraordinary proposition laid before the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters of England and Wales , at their last general meeting , induces me again to say a few words about the manner in

which the conflict of jurisdiction is gradually attempting to throw off the pleasant yoke of brotherly love and Masonic good-fellowship . I allude to the power proposed to be given to the Grand Master to establish English Mark Lodges

in Scotland . iSTow , before this suicidal course is taken , permit me to lift up my feeble voice in words of warning . Is the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters aware of wliat she proposes to do , or conscious of the

gravity of the proposition ? It simply means war to the knife . It is throwing down the gauntlet of defiance to a recognised governing Masonic body—recognised and honoured by every Masonic country throughout the world—and who have been

for some time past actuated by kindly feelings towards the Mark Masons of England , and who have been seriously entertaining a proposition for recognition , made some time ago by one of the most respected and energetic Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters .

After all . the efforts made by the few ( as compared to the many ) , who truly and sincerely prize the Mark degree , to bury the hatchet , and to unite the disintegrated units of thi s most interesting portion of Craft Masonry , and just as we had

hoped that the Scottish Mark Masons could meet the brethren of England in possession of the degree—at least on the level , if not under one head ,

The Mark Degree.

the Grand Lodge of M . M . has given her Grand Master plenaiy powers to charter Mark Lodgesin Scotland . This proceeding reminds me forcibly of the never-to-be-forgotten campaign of Don Quixote against the windmills .

Still , leaving out the wilful intention to insult the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland , the proposition is , in itself , so absurdly ridiculous as to excite only feelings of pity for any body who could be so ill-advised , as I defy the Grand Lodge

of Mark Masters to find in all Scotland even the statutory number to whom they could grant a warrant . One would think that the futile attempt o f another self-constituted and soi disant governing

body to establish a branch of their so-called Order in Scotland would have been sufficient warning , that the motto of Scotland is still Nemo me impune lacessit . ' To show the absurdity of the whole affair , I need only remind the brethren that the

Mark degree is not only recognised and conferred in every Scottish Eoyal Arch Chapter , but every Craft lodge by virtue of its warrant is empowered to advance candidates to this degree .

I think this insane proceeding is a prognostication of the final doom of the " Grand Lodge of Mark Masters . " We are all familiar with the old Latin proverb , Quern dens vult perdere ,. prius dementat .

As for the supposed recognition of the " Grand Lodge" by the Supreme Council of 33 ° , I take this quantum valeat , and that is very little .

Social Influence Of Masonry.

SOCIAL INFLUENCE OF MASONRY .

( From the Masonic Troioel . ) An institution which does not have a reformatory effect on those who come within its influence , which does not make men better , which does not add something to the aggregate of human

happiness , is hardly worth sustaining . This is preeminently a utilitarian age . We inquire , when any subject is presented to ns , " AYhat good will it do ? " before we are willing to give it our time or influence , and though many are too much

inclined to place that chief good for which we all seek in money and estates , yet there are those who long for the more certain riches of p-enerous principles and goodness of heart . The method and means by which Masonry ministers to these desirable characteristics shall be the objects of the present paper .