The Public Aspect Of Freemasony.

It can bear a good deal more zeal , and a far greater share of earnestness . This therefore is what we should understand as a preparation for publicity , involving greater care

-in the selection of members , who may bring discredit in our Order , a better choice of officers , than those who so often misrepresent Masonry in the natural passage and promotion from the W . M . ship to the W . S . ship , a greater attention not only

to what are called "the charities , " but to all charities and the charitable duties of the fraternity ; some regard for the claims of learning as well as the claims of good fellowship , more zeal for our

Masonic halls , a more liberal supply ot books and newspapers , more portraits and busts than gorgeous jewels , and a better distribution of the honours of the Craft , and a more open spirit in its administration , Many things will occur to our readers iu

relation to Grand Lodge , and the provinces and colonies , and some hope of the working out of a higher policy may be encouraged by the contemplation of what has been done in the renovation of Freemasons' Hall , and the proposed remodelling of

the Board of Benevolence . If we can arrive at the conviction that we are not all perfect , we may see our course to much in the way of amelioration .

The Mark Degree.

THE MARK DEGREE .

By REITAJI . I have read with much pleasure the article of Bro . Binckes in the MAGAZINE of the 19 th June , but must take exception to several of his remarks on the topics of interest to which he refers . In

the first place the position of the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters both with respect to the Grand Lodge of England and the Supreme Masonic bodies of other countries is widely different from that of the Grand Conclave of K . T ., and the

Supreme Grand Council 83 ° . The difference is this , in other countries there are governing bodies of these degrees , exercising supreme authority over those brethren who owe allegiance to them , and although the Grand Lodge of England does

not recognise the Sautes Grades of Masonry , she cannot object to the jewels of those degrees being worn in English Craft lodges , by brethren who have obtained them in countries with whom she is iu communion . On the contrary , the Mark jewel , when worn by a member of the English

The Mark Degree.

Lodge of Mark Masters is prohibited , and I myself have seen cases , in which a Provincial Deputy G . M . insisted on its being removed . Again it is evident that at the present , Grand

Lodge of Mark Masters is not in communication with any Grand Lodge or Grand Chapter in the world , and were it to be recognised , it would have the effect of creating a new governing Masonic body in England , wholly unknown in other

countries , and in itself anomalous , as were the Grand Lodge of England at any ' ^ future time to acknowledge the degree of Mark Master , what becomes of the soi disant Grand Lodge ? I should much like to hear Bro . Binckes reply to this

question , as we must reasonably expect that the leading opponents of the degree , to whom he refers , will not always exercise supreme sway in the Grand Councils of the Craft .

This , I believe to be the true reason why the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapters of Scotland and Ireland have refused to acknowledge the Grand Mark Lodge , as in the event of the recognition of the degree by the Grand Lodge of England ,

almost a revolution would have been caused in the Craft which would have been tofcall j'" subversive of all Masonic discipline , and highly prejudicial to the institution . In my opinion the supreme bodies in Scotland and Ireland were right in refusing to be

the first to recognise the Grand Mark Lodge . They left the option to England , either to sanction the degree as part of the Fellow Craft , or to acknowledge the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters as the lawful head of the Order in England , and

until this be done , I do not think those grand bodies are to blame , in declining to take the initiative in recognising the Grand Mark Lodge as

a lawfully constituted governing body . Were this to be done , the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters , meeting at Ashton-uncler-Lyne , would have an equal right to claim the same communion , perhaps abetter right , as they suppose themselves

of much more ancient origin . I give all honour and credit to the members of the Grand Mark Lodge , for their sincerity and their arduous labours in the cause , and heartily regret the degree cannot be placed on the same footing , as in sister Grand Lodges , Spero Meliora .

FREEMASONRY would make this whole world one great cathedral , and all living in it at eternal worship , prayer , praise and charity .