Mark Masonry.

Rev . J . W . Laughlin , P . G . Chap . ; J . R . Stebbing , G . Treas . ; F . Binckes , G . Sec . ; G . W . Mobbs , G . Dir . of Cers . ; Swan , P . G . Sword Bearer ; F . Davison , G . Org . ; W . J . Meymott , J . Crispe , E . Turner , and Sbuttleworth , G . Stewards ; Spencer , Stillwell , and Meggy , P . G . Stewards ; and many W . M . 's , P . M . 's , and Wardens of lodges ; and amongst the visitors present were the following : — -Bros . W . Smith ; Chas . Leedham ,

No . 65 , Liverpool ; C . Allen , No . S Lodge ; W . H . Warr , Kent Lodge . " " The Grand Lodge was opened in form with solemn prayer . The minutes of the last half-yearly communication were read and confirmed . Numerous letters of apology and regret were read from Grand Officers , explaining cause of absence , several of whom expressed their readiness to pay any fines the Grand Lodge might impose for non-attendance of officers .

The report of the General Board was then ordered to be read . The following is tbe report : — In meeting the members of Grand Lodge at the close of the year 1865 , the general board are able to report the continued success and prosperity of tbe order during the past six months . They desire , however , to give prominent notice to the

propagation of the Mark Degree in the Presidencies of India , where it has been largely practised , though to the regret of English Masons , they have until lately been compelled to obtain the degree through the medium of lodges or chapters under the jurisdiction of Scotland and Ireland . The appointment of R . W . Bro . James Gibbs , as Prov . G . M . for Bombay , was the step

first taken to extend the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge to our East Indian possessions and though circumstances of a political and commercial nature interfered to some extent with Masonic progress generally , and retarded the success of the

Mark Degree , the report from R . W . Prov . G . M . of Bombay as to the work performed in the Lodge Holmesdale-in-the East is very encouraging , in fact so numerous does he represent " the application for admission to be as to necessitate very speedily the establishment of a second lodge , the advent of the Holmesdale Lodge having been hailed with much satisfaction by the

English Masons . " In the Presidency of Madras and British Burmah , the exertions of Bro . Colonel Greenlaw , who took with him his patent of appointment as R . W . Prov . G . M . of these districts , have been crowned with unexampled success . Seven new warrants having been already granted , with the intimation of numerous

applications being about to be forwarded , and the reports of the proceedings of the opening of the various lodges , and of the first Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Masters in India have been received , and are of the deepest interest to all concerned in the prosperity of the Mark Degree .

In the Presidency of Bengal lodges are about to be established under the rule of Bro . Hugh D . Sandeman , who has been affiliated in one of the lodges in Madras , and who has accepted the appointment of Prov . Grand Master of Mark Masters . From the influence of Thomas Sandeman who is Prov . Grand Master of Bengal under the United Grand Lodge of England , there can be no doubt that there a similar amount of success will be attained as that alread y enjoyed in the sister Presidencies .

The progress made may be thus stated ; 255 Certificates issued during the past six months .. During the same period the following warrants have been granted : — WARRANTS OE CONSTITUTION . Cape Stone , 80 Calcutta . Keystone , SI Bellary , Madras . Hiram , S 2 Baugalone . Astrcea , 83 Thayetniyoo , Burmah .

Stanley , 84 Meerut . Figgs , 85 Akyab , Burmah . Samson and Lion , 86 London . The Abbey Lodge , No . 59 , has petitioned for removal from Tewkesbury to Worcester , the propinquity of the lodge at Cheltenham being found to render unnecessary a lodge at the former town , while in Worcester there is a growing requirement

for the establishment of a lodge , Sir Edmund Lechmere , Bart ., P . G . W ., having consented to occupy the chair on its removal to that city . Our relations with the authorities of the Mark Degree in Scotland must naturally be a subject of great interest . A formal communication from the Supreme Grand Chapter of

Scotland has been received , containing the reply from the United Grand Lodge of England to the former body as to their refusal to recognise this Grand Lodge , and declining on the part of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland to recognise the body " styling itself the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters of England and Wales , & c" Representations as to the

desirability of an amicable understanding with the Scottish authorities have since then been interchanged between them and members of this Grand Lodge , and the friendly offices of a distinguished brother , temporarily resident in Edinburgh , have been exerted to bring about a policy of conciliation . No definite result having accrued , save the evident

increase in good feeling , the Grand Secretary visited Edinburgh last week , and had personal interviews with the official authorities of the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Scotland . This visit was of an unofficial character , and the whole of the

discussions were entirely without prejudice . Ihe Board have every reason to be satisfied with the result of that visit , and are prepared to do all in their power to render it entirely successful . In pursuance of this object , they have determined on memorialising other supreme bodies by whom , as with them , the Mark degree is regarded as an essential portion of ancient Masonry , and to continue the negotiations so ¦ auspiciouly

commenced . Under these circumstances , and pending these negotiations , the Board abstain from recommending the adoption of the policy enforced by a regulation of the Grand Chapter of Scotland , viz ., that of forbidding the interchange of visits between Mark brethren under the two jurisdictions . At the

same time , should the overtures now made fail in producing the desiderated results , the Board will he quite prepared to recommend the necessary steps for maintaining and upholding the dignity and position of this Grand Lodge . The Board recommends a grant of £ 3 to the widow of Bro . , advanced in a Mark lodge at Gibraltar , now resident

at Plymouth , and who has already been relieved from the Fund of Benevolence attached to the United Grand Lodge of England . The petition in this case suggests the consideration of the advisability of the formation of a benevolent fund , and this the Board unanimously recommend for the sanction of Grand Lodge ; the funds to be raised by an annual payment of 6 d .

from every subscribing member of a lodge . To this fund also may be devoted the fines for non-attendance of Grand Officers . £ s . d . The Treasurer's report shows Receipts during the six months as per list 193 0 6 Balance in hand , July 1 , 1865 88 9 10 Total 2 S 1 10 4

Disbursements . Royal Masonic Ininstitution for Boys' £ s . d . Building Fund " ... 10 10 0 FREEMASONS'MAGAZINE 2 3 0