Mark Masonry.

to apply to a Lodge of Mark Masons which , having- no longer a warrant of its oivn , constituted itself a Grand Lodge to grant warrants to others . There was , however , a third element introduced into the matter , which completely changed the entire aspect of the affair . It was found thafc there ivere about a score of Lodges in various parts of the country , which had been in tho habit of conferring the Mark degree under charters existing prior to the union . Of the " legality" of these Lodgesthere seemed no dispositionon auy parfcto raise a questionAll sides

, , , . admitted it . AA ' ell , a number of these united with a number of other Lodges , the legitimacy ol whose origin was nofc quite so certain , perhaps—bufc he would not go into that point—aud the two bodies then formed was what was now known as the " Grand Lodge of Mark Masters in England . " That Grand Loclge had already a large number of Lodges holding under ifc , and its leading Brethren were distinguished by all that was honourable , both as meu aud as Masons . The proposition was , that tho Scottish Lodges should unite with this Grand Lodge ;

and ho ( Bro . Sharman ) as R . AA' . M ., and oneof the founders of thefirst of these Lodges , from which the entire Scottish portion of the degree had emanated , was naturally looked to , ancl expected to take some step . The fact was , that he ought to have been the first to move in the matter with tho Masters of the other Scottish Lodges , but he hacl long been deterred by the difficulties which surrounded the question on every hand . He hacl now , however , come to tho conclusion thafc they would do well to unite with tho English Grand Loclge , and if the Scottish Mark Lodges

in England followed their example , the English Grand Lodge of Mark Masters would be far more powerful , both in the number of its Lodges and in the number of its members , than the Grand Chapter of Scotland , under whose authority they were now working . Again , there was a very natural feeling of preference towards an English body over a Scottish one , where both demanded their allegiance . In conclusion , he would say that they should ever feel respect ancl gratitude to the Grand Chapter of Scotland , for having enabled them legally to resuscitate the degree ; and but for ivhose sanction the Mark degree ivould have still been

represented by one Lodge in London , holding from a private chapter in Aberdeen , and a few old Lodges scattered over fche country , without organisation , and almost extinct . He invited the Brethren who hacl recently joined the Lodge , and who were therefore nofc aware of tho various stages through which their affairs had passed , to ask any questions which might occur to them , to ivhich he would respond to the best of his ability , and then he would leave tho matter in their hands . Bro . Major Godfrey Rhodes , who was acting as S . W ., put a variety of questions to the B . AV . B 1 in order to fully inform himself previous to going to the voteand likewise

, , for tho information of the Brethren ivho , with himself , hacl been but recently advanced to the degree . To all of these the R . W . M . gave answers which wore deemed satisfactory , and eventually Bro . Major Rhodes proposed fche following resolution : — " That Bro . H . Riseborough Sharman , the R . AV . M . of this Lodge be and hereby is authorised to confer with the R . AA' . Ms . of fche other Mark Lodges in England , holding their warrants from the Grand Chapter of Scotland , with the view of entering into arrangements with the ' Grand Loclge of Mark Masters iu England , ' in order

to join the said Grand Loclge . That tho arrangements so ninth } on tho part of this Loclge , when completed , shall be submitted for confirmation or rejection to this Loclge , at a meeting thereof duly convened for the purpose , by a printed circular sent to each member at least seven clays previously to such meeting . " Bro . Fox , the Secretary of the Lodge , expressed his cordial approbation of the motion , and saicl he should second it with a great deal of pleasure . The R . AA ' . M . said that , for himself , he cordially approved of the motion , ancl he added that , if ifc should be unanimousl

y agreed to , he should put himself into communication with the Masters of the other ( Scotch ) Mark Lodges in England , at the very earliest possible period . He coulcl fully believe thafc tho Grand Loclge of 3 Iark Masters would meet tliem iu the most fraternal spirit , and give them a cordial and hearty welcome to their ranks . The resolution was then put , and carried unanimously . The R . W . M . stated that there was only one single member of the Lodge who , so far as he could learn , had not expressed himself strongly in favour of the motion just passed ; and he was glad to see that , thafc brother being absent , every hand in the Lodge had been raised in favour of so proper aucl prudent a course of conduct .