Mark Masonry.

clays , with great pleasure , to perforin Masonic duties , probably for the last time in Jersey . On all occasions similar to the present one , it has appeared to me right that at the expiration of his term of office the Master of a lodge should give an account of his stewardship , should take a retrospective view of the events which have occurred in tho course of it , and cast an eye forward on its prospects for the future . I have hitherto adopted this as a rule , and the present period is certainly not

one at which it is desirable to depart from it , considering first , that the lodge is new , as is also the degree , in the form in which we are carrying it out , under the constitution of the Grand Mark Lodge of England and Wales , and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown ; and secondly , that the government of it changes hands under some disadvantages , since your AV . M ., through his skill and ability in other departments of Masonry , afford a sure guarantee for the exhibition of

similar powers in this , will not have the benefit of the e . vperience and assistance of a Past Master , who is familiar with our ritual , and he will thus have his labour and responsibility increased . Brethren , could I have anticipated this state of things when , by your favour , I was appointed the first W . M . of the lodge , I should have declined to accept the office , because in consequence of my removal from Jersey , whatever zeal and energy the amount of leisure I have enjoyed , has enabled me to exert , must

now cease . I should not have been justified in placing you in this position to gratify my own ambition , rather than to forward your interests , could I have foreseen what has occurred . A year and a half ago , when this lodge was formed , I had every reason to believe that I shouid remain in this island some years longer , at least for a period sufficient to see your lodge placed on a firm basis , and to have a succession of Past Masters able and ready to guide , instruct , and assist yon . As failing health in Warwickshire brought me among you more than eight years ago , so now the same cause has rendered another change

requisite , and I am sure that you , brethren , will rejoice with me on finding that so far it has been effective . ' Let me now review our position as a lodge . The Cajsarean Mark Masters' Lodge ( No . 74 ) was opened on April 10 th , 1 S 65 , with thirty subscribing members , the consecration ceremony being performed by Bros . Grimmond , Dr . Blood , and Hastings , Past Masters of the Irish Mark Lodge ( No . 34 ) , who most generously came forward to consecrate and iiistal , and without

whose aid , so disinterestedly rendered , some months must have elapsed , and considerable expense must have been incurred , before we could have commenced operations . They regarded us not as rivals , but as fellow-workers , as brethren wanting assistance , and with , the fraternal spirit and kindness of genuine Masons , they cheerfully united to render it ; they heard our cry of distress , and answered it , they received our mark , and granted our request . Brethrenwe owe them our gratitude

, and our thanks , which have already been expressed . This , however , is a suitable occasion to renew them ; and I hope that the matter will not be lost sight of for many years to come . At the six regular meetings of the lodge which have been held nine brethren have become members by advancement and three by joining . Three have resigned , and one has died . Thus our present number is thirty-eight . I must confess my

disappointment that so few Craft Masons have taken the Mark degree in this lodge , and especially that the six who were balloted for so long ago still kept aloof , since our ceremonials and traditions are really interesting , and , having their legitimate place between the degrees of F . C . and M . M ., supply an intermediate link in the chain , connecting us too with the great guilds of operative Masons in the middle ages , of which tho ecclesiastical edifices of that period furnish so many interesting proofs . It will be

quite in order here to inquire into the causes of this apparent apathy , and , if we can arrive at any satisfactory solution , it will , then , I conceive , be your interest and your duty to endeavour to remove them .

"First—There is no doubt that the want of recognition of the Mark degree by the Craft Grand Lodge of England is a great bar to success , not only here , but throughout the country . I may , perhaps , except the province of Devonshire , which I have lately visited , where I found ten Mark lodges under the same constitution as our own . This success may be attributed to the great zeal and intelligence of a large number of brethren in the district , well worthy of imitation here , for many really stud

y the subject , and trace out its historical , traditional , mythological , moral , and scientific bearings , leading to exact views of the relation which each branch bears to tho others , and necessitating an acquaintance with them all . I visited one

Mark Lodge there , as a result of which I may say that , though not thoroughly satisfied with our working , it will bear a not unfavourable comparison with what I witnessed . At the same time I was gratified to find that , with scarcely any exception , there was a perfect similarity in the modes of carrying out the ritual , thus proving the care and fidelity which had been exhibited by those kind Masonic friends to whom I had been indebted for the requisite information , given piecemeal , at

different times , from different quarters , and by lengthy correspondence . Secondly—A large proportion of Masons are contented with the ordinary degrees of Entered Apprentice , Fellow Craft , and Master Mason , which generally secure Masonic recognition and sympathy throughout the world , and they are either ignorant of the existence of the Mark degree and the Royal Arch or , not seeing any practical personal benefit therefromare careless

, with respect to them . But few have leisure or inclination to pursue the subject as a study . AVere it otherwise , they would soon find the necessity of a knowledge of each branch of pure Masonry , iu order to trace the connection between them all and their mutual bearing upon each other . These impressions can be removed onl y by the personal exertions and recommendations of those who have obtained the privileges conferred by these degrees .

" Thirdly—Meetings which are held at long intervals are seldom remembered , which will account for irregular and scanty attendance , and the consequent want of practice in the ceremonial observances leads to imperfections in their administration which cannot but affect the general interest in them . The remedy for this is easy—namely , to hold the meetings a & shorter intervals—it may be of one or two , instead of three months . " Fourthly—There is another obstacle to our success that must be delicately mentioned , which is , that , though our fees

are as low as possible under the arrangements of the Grand Mark Lodge , they are more than double the amounts charged by the Irish Mark Lodge . With a view to diminish our burden to some extent , I have taken upon myself the responsibility of sending a petition through the Grand Secretary , praying that the Channel Islands may be put on the same footing as British colonies , which will havo the effect of reducing the fee payable to the Grand Lod on advancement

ge from 8 s . 6 i . to 5 s . I have pointed out that this is perfectly reasonable , because our distance from London and the difficulty in securing a passage across the Channel at certain seasons prevent us here from enjoying the honours arising from eligibility for official rank in Grand Lodge almost as much as if we were far more remote from England . A few days ago I again wrote to the Grand Secretary on the subject . In reply , I was

informed that no decision can be arrived at before the next meeting of Grand Lodge in December , but that he " has not the slightest doubt as to the same being carried when brought forward . " Thus , before your meeting in January you may expect such a change as will enable you to reduce your advancement fee from 15 s . to 12 s ., or even less . It may be here remarked that an alteration has recentlbeen effected as regards the

y annual fees due from each member to Grand Lodge , by making it Is ., payable half-yearly , instead of 2 s . yearly . "The Treasurer ' s report will enable you to judge of our financial position . It cannot , under all circumstances , be considered an unfavourable one , and it must improve under ordinary care , since a large outlay , amounting to about onethird of our incomewas necessary at first to purchase the

, requisite furniture , obtain the warrant , priut by-laws , & c . "Having thus laid before you some account of our proceedings , the difficulties Ave have had to encounter , and our future prospects , it now only remains to make a few personal remarks .

"While deeply regretting my want of all the success for which , from the early enthusiasm of the chief promoters , I thought I had good ground to hope—probably to some extent from the very limited local influence which I could command—I trust that at least I shall not be chargeable with any neglect , by omitting to employ such means as were within my power . Tho difficulties in obtaining and arran ging the form of ritual were much greater than you can imaginebut when once it

; was completed and fully in my possession , I provided in every possible way to secure its permanence among you ; and should you at any tuture time wish to make any inquiry on tho subject , be assured of my desire to be at your service . " In conclusion , however unequal I have proved myself to be