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The History and Development
of the Mark Degree
(abridged version)
R.W.Bro. Brian Vickers, P.G.J.W., P.Dep.P.G.M. (London)
Introduction
The actual dates of the institution of the Mark as a separate degree and of the introduction of the 'Keystone Ceremony' as practiced today are, sadly, unknown.
However, the practice of the stonemason appending his unique mark on his work to identity it either for the purpose of subsequent payment or simply for posterity or as a matter of pride in his work, has existed from time immemorial.
It is reasonable to suppose that this centuries-old tradition forms the basis for the use of a mark in Mark Masonry as we know it today and that the transition from operative to speculative masonry started with 'operative' lodges encouraging their stonemasons to append their marks in the attendance register at meetings of the lodge.
It also seems reasonable to postulate that these operative lodges then started to allow the entry of non-craft or speculative members into their ranks. The Operative Lodges demanded high moral and ethical standards both in work and everyday life and so such a society would definitely be an attractive proposition to good men and true, who wanted to mix with men of similar disposition.
However, the practice of the stonemason appending his unique mark on his work to identity it either for the purpose of subsequent payment or simply for posterity or as a matter of pride in his work, has existed from time immemorial.
It is reasonable to suppose that this centuries-old tradition forms the basis for the use of a mark in Mark Masonry as we know it today and that the transition from operative to speculative masonry started with 'operative' lodges encouraging their stonemasons to append their marks in the attendance register at meetings of the lodge.
It also seems reasonable to postulate that these operative lodges then started to allow the entry of non-craft or speculative members into their ranks. The Operative Lodges demanded high moral and ethical standards both in work and everyday life and so such a society would definitely be an attractive proposition to good men and true, who wanted to mix with men of similar disposition.
In due time, because of the decline in the erection of stone buildings, the number of operative masons diminished to the point where the lodges were composed entirely of speculative members.
Finally, to complete the transition from purely operative stonemasonry to wholly speculative Mark Masonry we have the institution of, firstly the degrees of Mark Man and Mark Master and eventually the Honourable Degree of Mark Master Mason.
Let us now look, in a little more detail, at that transition.
In 1599, an entry in the earliest preserved Minute Book of the Lodge of Edinburgh states that several speculative brethren appended their marks after their names. (1) This clearly implies that although the lodge must have been composed mainly of operative masons. they had admitted non-craft or speculative members.
Finally, to complete the transition from purely operative stonemasonry to wholly speculative Mark Masonry we have the institution of, firstly the degrees of Mark Man and Mark Master and eventually the Honourable Degree of Mark Master Mason.
Let us now look, in a little more detail, at that transition.
In 1599, an entry in the earliest preserved Minute Book of the Lodge of Edinburgh states that several speculative brethren appended their marks after their names. (1) This clearly implies that although the lodge must have been composed mainly of operative masons. they had admitted non-craft or speculative members.
In the archives of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham, one of its By Laws from 1756, states:
“There being met part of the body of The Lodge, they taking into their serious consideration that no member of the saide Lodge shall be made a Mark Mason without paying the fee of one Scots Mark.....”
This is the first known reference to anyone being made a Mark Mason and implies some sort of separate ceremony. It is not known whether the reference relates to the degree of Mark Man or Mark Master.
On 11 August 1769, the Royal Arch Chapter of Friendship No.257, was constituted. Its first meeting, under the auspices of Thomas Dunkerley, was held in September of that year at the 'George Tavern' in Portsmouth and it is evident, from that meeting that, by 1769, Dunckerley was already an established Mark Master and also that The Mark Degree was being conferred in English Royal Arch Chapters as well as craft lodges.
“There being met part of the body of The Lodge, they taking into their serious consideration that no member of the saide Lodge shall be made a Mark Mason without paying the fee of one Scots Mark.....”
This is the first known reference to anyone being made a Mark Mason and implies some sort of separate ceremony. It is not known whether the reference relates to the degree of Mark Man or Mark Master.
On 11 August 1769, the Royal Arch Chapter of Friendship No.257, was constituted. Its first meeting, under the auspices of Thomas Dunkerley, was held in September of that year at the 'George Tavern' in Portsmouth and it is evident, from that meeting that, by 1769, Dunckerley was already an established Mark Master and also that The Mark Degree was being conferred in English Royal Arch Chapters as well as craft lodges.
There were many other Craft lodges that supported the Mark degrees and from which eventually sprang independent Mark lodges, of which seventeen would eventually join the English Mark Grand Lodge - but more of that later.
Anyway, from the history of the Portsmouth Chapter, we know that the Mark degree was popular there and continued to be worked until, at least, 1844.
Anyway, from the history of the Portsmouth Chapter, we know that the Mark degree was popular there and continued to be worked until, at least, 1844.
The Early Rituals
It is not known exactly when the current style of the single Keystone Ceremony was inaugurated but one assumes that it must have been constructed as part of the rationalization process following the setting up of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons.
In the mid-eighteenth century, the Mark Degree consisted of two parts viz:
Mark Man, as a progression from Fellow of the Craft or, as we now term it, Fellow Craft and Mark Master, as a progression from the Master Mason.
From lectures reproduced in an 'Exposure' written by Richard Carlile, entitled The Manual of Freemasonry and published around 1835, we know that, at that time, the degrees of both Mark Man and Mark Master were still being worked. (2)
In the mid-eighteenth century, the Mark Degree consisted of two parts viz:
Mark Man, as a progression from Fellow of the Craft or, as we now term it, Fellow Craft and Mark Master, as a progression from the Master Mason.
From lectures reproduced in an 'Exposure' written by Richard Carlile, entitled The Manual of Freemasonry and published around 1835, we know that, at that time, the degrees of both Mark Man and Mark Master were still being worked. (2)
In the first of these two degrees, the Mark Man is described as the craftsman who cuts the mark on each block of stone to identify its place in relation to the other blocks of stone in order to ensure a perfect fit
We are told, in the degree of Mark Man, that there were 2000 Mark Men employed at the building of the Temple; 100 in each of The 20 Fellow Craft Lodges that existed at that time. The pay of a Mark Man is said to have been 9 shekels per day, equivalent in the early 1800's, to £1 2s 6d. (2)
In this ceremony, the original keystone, made by Hiram Abiff, is lost and King Solomon offers a reward to anyone who can either find it or make a replacement. An Entered Apprentice manufactures a replacement and fixes it into the Arch. Some fellowcrafts, feeling that it is an insult to have such a stone made by a lowly entered apprentice, remove and throw the stone into the Brook Kedron which runs adjacent to the Temple. A reward is offered for the return of stone and the entered apprentice succeeds in finding it, more or less as in the current ceremony. The entered apprentice is then entrusted with the secrets of the Degree of Mark Man.
In the second of these two degrees, the Mark Master's duties are described as relating to the final inspection of stones which have already been approved by the Mark Men and the additional marking of the stones with a triangle, as proof of this final inspection. In the ceremony the candidate is conducted round the lodge five times and instructed in the use of the five senses.
We are told, in the degree of Mark Man, that there were 2000 Mark Men employed at the building of the Temple; 100 in each of The 20 Fellow Craft Lodges that existed at that time. The pay of a Mark Man is said to have been 9 shekels per day, equivalent in the early 1800's, to £1 2s 6d. (2)
In this ceremony, the original keystone, made by Hiram Abiff, is lost and King Solomon offers a reward to anyone who can either find it or make a replacement. An Entered Apprentice manufactures a replacement and fixes it into the Arch. Some fellowcrafts, feeling that it is an insult to have such a stone made by a lowly entered apprentice, remove and throw the stone into the Brook Kedron which runs adjacent to the Temple. A reward is offered for the return of stone and the entered apprentice succeeds in finding it, more or less as in the current ceremony. The entered apprentice is then entrusted with the secrets of the Degree of Mark Man.
In the second of these two degrees, the Mark Master's duties are described as relating to the final inspection of stones which have already been approved by the Mark Men and the additional marking of the stones with a triangle, as proof of this final inspection. In the ceremony the candidate is conducted round the lodge five times and instructed in the use of the five senses.
In the ceremony of Mark Master, we are told that there were employed 1000 Mark Masters at the building of the Temple; 50 in each of the 20 lodges and the pay of a Mark Master is said to have been 25 shekels per day, equivalent to £3 2s 6d.
It is interesting to note that the Mark Master's Chant was sung in those days but then it had anything between two and five verses and was sung to the tune of our current National Anthem! The tune is reckoned to have been written in the early 17th century and its use for our National Anthem began around 1745, so the probability is that it was plagiarized by Mark Masons after it had become our National Anthem. (3)
The original Mark Masters’ Chant was different to that sung today, inasmuch as the first and third verses were as follows:-
It is interesting to note that the Mark Master's Chant was sung in those days but then it had anything between two and five verses and was sung to the tune of our current National Anthem! The tune is reckoned to have been written in the early 17th century and its use for our National Anthem began around 1745, so the probability is that it was plagiarized by Mark Masons after it had become our National Anthem. (3)
The original Mark Masters’ Chant was different to that sung today, inasmuch as the first and third verses were as follows:-
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Hiram, the widow’s son Sent to King Solomon The great Key stone In it appears the name Which raises high the fame Of all, to whom the same Is truly known 2 Now to the praise of those Who triumphed o’er the foers Of Masons’ art To the praiseworthy three Who founded this degree May all their virtues be Deep in our hearts (4) |
The First English Lodge of Mark Masters
We come now to the circumstances surrounding the setting up of the first English Mark Lodge. You will be aware of the importance of the year 1813 i.e. the formation of the United Grand Lodge of England. One of the principal articles of The Union stated:- 'Pure Antient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, viz. those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellowcraft and the Master Mason, including The Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch'.
It then went on to state:- This article is not intended to prevent any Lodge or Chapter from holding a meeting in any of the Degrees of The Orders of Chivalry', thus encouraging the working of the Mark Degree in their lodges and chapters
Before The union of 1813 there had, of course, been two Grand Lodges, i.e. The Grand Lodge of Masons, otherwise called The Premier Grand Lodge but nicknamed The Moderns Grand Lodge formed in 1717, and The Grand Lodge of Antient and Accepted Masons also known subsequently as the Atholl Grand Lodge, but nicknamed The Antients Grand Lodge formed some 34 years later.
The Moderns Grand Lodge did not encourage the working of other degrees, whereas the Ancients Grand Lodge did quite the reverse. Thus, in the Ancients Lodges the Mark degree was worked regularly, although it must be assumed that some brethren within the Moderns Grand Lodge continued to work the Mark degree irregularly.
It then went on to state:- This article is not intended to prevent any Lodge or Chapter from holding a meeting in any of the Degrees of The Orders of Chivalry', thus encouraging the working of the Mark Degree in their lodges and chapters
Before The union of 1813 there had, of course, been two Grand Lodges, i.e. The Grand Lodge of Masons, otherwise called The Premier Grand Lodge but nicknamed The Moderns Grand Lodge formed in 1717, and The Grand Lodge of Antient and Accepted Masons also known subsequently as the Atholl Grand Lodge, but nicknamed The Antients Grand Lodge formed some 34 years later.
The Moderns Grand Lodge did not encourage the working of other degrees, whereas the Ancients Grand Lodge did quite the reverse. Thus, in the Ancients Lodges the Mark degree was worked regularly, although it must be assumed that some brethren within the Moderns Grand Lodge continued to work the Mark degree irregularly.
It seemed therefore that, when the Preliminary Declaration was made in 1813, all was set fair for The Mark degree to be worked in all The Craft Lodges in the new English Constitution.
However, four years after the Union, in 1817, The United Grand Lodge reneged on this principle and the second half of the article was deleted, thus outlawing the Mark Degree from its Craft Lodges and, per se, its Royal Arch Chapters.5
It is certain that many of the Craft Lodges and Royal Arch Chapters under the new United Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter ignored the 1817 edict and continued to work the Mark Degree irregularly and so, for the next thirty years or so, The Mark Degree continued to survive without a Grand Lodge or other overseeing body to coordinate it.
On 28th August 1817, the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland was constituted and it took under its wing a total of twelve Masonic Degrees, including those of Mark Mason and Ark Mason, which it still does today.
However, four years after the Union, in 1817, The United Grand Lodge reneged on this principle and the second half of the article was deleted, thus outlawing the Mark Degree from its Craft Lodges and, per se, its Royal Arch Chapters.5
It is certain that many of the Craft Lodges and Royal Arch Chapters under the new United Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter ignored the 1817 edict and continued to work the Mark Degree irregularly and so, for the next thirty years or so, The Mark Degree continued to survive without a Grand Lodge or other overseeing body to coordinate it.
On 28th August 1817, the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland was constituted and it took under its wing a total of twelve Masonic Degrees, including those of Mark Mason and Ark Mason, which it still does today.
In 1851, a certain Dr. William Jones, a member of the English Royal York Lodge of Perseverance No.7 and its associated Chapter, visited Scotland and became a member of The Bon Accord Royal Arch Chapter No. 70 Scottish Constitution. Later in 1851, a Scottish friend of Dr. Jones, a Dr. Robert Beveridge from Aberdeen, who was an office bearer in Bon Accord Royal Arch Chapter met Dr. Jones in London during a visit to see the Great Exhibition of that year. Whilst in London, Dr Jones introduced Dr Beveridge to many of his Masonic friends in London, some of whom asked him if he could advance them into the Mark Degree here in London rather than their having to travel to Scotland. This the good doctor agreed to do and five brethren were accordingly so advanced.
The news of these advancements spread rapidly and Dr. Beveridge, having left London to return to Aberdeen, Dr. Jones was inundated with similar requests from other Craft brethren to be advanced into the Mark Degree. He approached his Royal Arch Chapter, Bon Accord, to seek advice on this and they stated that an appropriate procedure would be for Dr. Jones to apply for a Warrant to establish a Mark Masters Lodge in London.
Such application was duly made by Dr. Jones, the petition being signed by him and the five brethren recently advanced by Dr. Beveridge. The application received favourable consideration and Dr. Jones was invited to Aberdeen where, on 12th September 1851, he was installed as Right Worshipful Master of the Bon Accord Mark Lodge.
The news of these advancements spread rapidly and Dr. Beveridge, having left London to return to Aberdeen, Dr. Jones was inundated with similar requests from other Craft brethren to be advanced into the Mark Degree. He approached his Royal Arch Chapter, Bon Accord, to seek advice on this and they stated that an appropriate procedure would be for Dr. Jones to apply for a Warrant to establish a Mark Masters Lodge in London.
Such application was duly made by Dr. Jones, the petition being signed by him and the five brethren recently advanced by Dr. Beveridge. The application received favourable consideration and Dr. Jones was invited to Aberdeen where, on 12th September 1851, he was installed as Right Worshipful Master of the Bon Accord Mark Lodge.
Dr. Jones returned to London and duly received his warrant, dated 17th September 1851 that constituted the London Bon Accord Mark Masters Lodge to be held under the aegis of the Bon Accord Chapter of Aberdeen.
Having been constituted, the degree flourished to the extent that, in less than four years, i.e. by early 1855, it had grown to a membership of no less than 120! In fact it was becoming quite famous in the Masonic fraternity, with articles appearing in the Masonic press, and this was the catalyst which ultimately led to its confrontation with the Scottish Grand Chapter.
In the February 1855 edition of the Monthly Masonic Magazine a short advertisement had appeared as follows:- “MARK DEGREE - Apply to Bro R. Spencer, 314 High Holborn+, for all the particulars you require. The Mark Lodge is held under warrant from the Grand Chapter of Scotland”.
Unfortunately, the Grand Scribe N. of Scotland, one William Gaylor, had seen the advert and immediately wrote a letter to the magazine to which Spencer’s reply appeared in the May issue. Gaylor had stated that the Bon Accord Mark Lodge was irregular and Spencer replied that it wasn’t!
It is clear that the Grand Chapter of Scotland was furious with Bon Accord Chapter for granting a warrant which they said the Chapter had no right to do and eventually, on 20th of June 1855, the Grand Chapter of Scotland instructed the Bon Accord Chapter to withdraw its warrant … “in order to avoid the necessity of ulterior measures”
Having been constituted, the degree flourished to the extent that, in less than four years, i.e. by early 1855, it had grown to a membership of no less than 120! In fact it was becoming quite famous in the Masonic fraternity, with articles appearing in the Masonic press, and this was the catalyst which ultimately led to its confrontation with the Scottish Grand Chapter.
In the February 1855 edition of the Monthly Masonic Magazine a short advertisement had appeared as follows:- “MARK DEGREE - Apply to Bro R. Spencer, 314 High Holborn+, for all the particulars you require. The Mark Lodge is held under warrant from the Grand Chapter of Scotland”.
Unfortunately, the Grand Scribe N. of Scotland, one William Gaylor, had seen the advert and immediately wrote a letter to the magazine to which Spencer’s reply appeared in the May issue. Gaylor had stated that the Bon Accord Mark Lodge was irregular and Spencer replied that it wasn’t!
It is clear that the Grand Chapter of Scotland was furious with Bon Accord Chapter for granting a warrant which they said the Chapter had no right to do and eventually, on 20th of June 1855, the Grand Chapter of Scotland instructed the Bon Accord Chapter to withdraw its warrant … “in order to avoid the necessity of ulterior measures”
The Bon Accord Chapter refused to do this and was suspended by the Grand Chapter of Scotland on 19th September 1855 and never met again after March 1856. (6)
One of the options now open to the brethren was to make another attempt to the United Grand Lodge of England and/or the Supreme Grand Chapter of England to recognize the Mark Degree and to include it as part of ‘Antient Masonry’. Such an overture was made and a committee was set up by those two bodies to look into the matter.
Their first report was made to Supreme Grand Chapter on 1st February 1856. In effect, the report simply said that, since the Mark Degree formed no part of the English Royal Arch ceremony, any consideration for adoption must lie with the Grand Lodge.
At the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge held on 5th March 1856, the committee reported back with a recommendation to the effect that the Mark Degree be introduced into the Craft as an adjunct to the Second Degree “… under proper regulation”. This recommendation was proposed, seconded and, surprisingly, carried on that day and on the face of things it looked as though Mark Masonry would at last be regarded as part of Craft or Ancient Masonry.
One of the options now open to the brethren was to make another attempt to the United Grand Lodge of England and/or the Supreme Grand Chapter of England to recognize the Mark Degree and to include it as part of ‘Antient Masonry’. Such an overture was made and a committee was set up by those two bodies to look into the matter.
Their first report was made to Supreme Grand Chapter on 1st February 1856. In effect, the report simply said that, since the Mark Degree formed no part of the English Royal Arch ceremony, any consideration for adoption must lie with the Grand Lodge.
At the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge held on 5th March 1856, the committee reported back with a recommendation to the effect that the Mark Degree be introduced into the Craft as an adjunct to the Second Degree “… under proper regulation”. This recommendation was proposed, seconded and, surprisingly, carried on that day and on the face of things it looked as though Mark Masonry would at last be regarded as part of Craft or Ancient Masonry.
Subsequently, all came to naught for, at the next Quarterly Communication held on 4th June 1856, Brother John Henderson, Past President of the Board of General Purposes, moved that the minute of the previous communication relating to the Mark Degree be not approved on the basis that approval would have constituted an innovation and would, therefore, be irregular The proposition was carried by a substantial majority and so the Mark Degree had been rejected, in this case, for the last time. This final rejection was thought by some to be a mortal blow but by others a blessing; undeniably it would shape the government of the Degree of Mark Master Mason in England for all time!
In the meantime, the Scottish Grand Chapter decided to capitalize on the vacuum created by the irregularity of the Bon Accord Lodge and rejection by the United Grand Lodge, by granting a request to allow four London brethren to constitute a Mark Lodge to be called The St. Mark's Lodge of Mark Masters and to be ranked No. 1 on the register of Mark Lodges under the Grand Chapter of Scotland.
The St Mark's Lodge warrant is dated 18th June 1856.
The gloves were now off, because it was immediately apparent that the Scottish Grand Chapter intended to take control of Mark Masonry in England (and possibly elsewhere).
This situation was also to the great disadvantage of the Bon Accord Lodge, whose members would not only be irregular Mark Masters but would also be junior to St. Mark's even if the Scottish Grand Chapter subsequently agreed to take Bon Accord under its wing.
The senior members of the Bon Accord Lodge therefore determined to take such action as was necessary to resolve the problem once and for all.
In the meantime, the Scottish Grand Chapter decided to capitalize on the vacuum created by the irregularity of the Bon Accord Lodge and rejection by the United Grand Lodge, by granting a request to allow four London brethren to constitute a Mark Lodge to be called The St. Mark's Lodge of Mark Masters and to be ranked No. 1 on the register of Mark Lodges under the Grand Chapter of Scotland.
The St Mark's Lodge warrant is dated 18th June 1856.
The gloves were now off, because it was immediately apparent that the Scottish Grand Chapter intended to take control of Mark Masonry in England (and possibly elsewhere).
This situation was also to the great disadvantage of the Bon Accord Lodge, whose members would not only be irregular Mark Masters but would also be junior to St. Mark's even if the Scottish Grand Chapter subsequently agreed to take Bon Accord under its wing.
The senior members of the Bon Accord Lodge therefore determined to take such action as was necessary to resolve the problem once and for all.
Accordingly, the members of the Lodge, having received a summons dated 14 June to attend, with other selected brethren, a Special Meeting on 23 June 1856, met on that day and resolved to form a 'Grand Mark Masters Lodge for England’ and this was duly done, the first Grand Master being the Rt. Hon. Lord Leigh.
The new Grand Lodge, anxious to undermine any advantage that Scotland might have secured on the 18 of June, actually placed an advertisement in 'The Times' of 28 June and the 12 and l9 of July to the effect that it was now the accredited Grand Lodge for all Mark Masonry in England and that applications for warrants should be addressed to the new Grand Secretary, William Louis Collins, at 14 Portdown Road, Maida Vale.
The Scottish Grand Chapter steadfastly refused to recognize the English Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons as regular and this long running battle of words ensured that the growth of the English Mark Grand Lodge was slow and so for many years the Mark Degree was worked variously under the English Constitution, the Scottish Constitution and independently.
On 10 June 1857, Mark Grand Lodge constituted the first eight Provinces, namely:
Berkshire & Hampshire; Wiltshire; Kent; Devon; Surrey; South Wales; South Australia and China.
The new Grand Lodge, anxious to undermine any advantage that Scotland might have secured on the 18 of June, actually placed an advertisement in 'The Times' of 28 June and the 12 and l9 of July to the effect that it was now the accredited Grand Lodge for all Mark Masonry in England and that applications for warrants should be addressed to the new Grand Secretary, William Louis Collins, at 14 Portdown Road, Maida Vale.
The Scottish Grand Chapter steadfastly refused to recognize the English Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons as regular and this long running battle of words ensured that the growth of the English Mark Grand Lodge was slow and so for many years the Mark Degree was worked variously under the English Constitution, the Scottish Constitution and independently.
On 10 June 1857, Mark Grand Lodge constituted the first eight Provinces, namely:
Berkshire & Hampshire; Wiltshire; Kent; Devon; Surrey; South Wales; South Australia and China.
During the summer of 1858, brethren of several of the new Scottish-warranted lodges had held meetings to see if a way could be found to heal the rift between Mark Grand Lodge and Scottish Grand Royal Arch Chapter. By September of that year they had come up with a proposal to form a brand new Grand Mark Lodge which would, in effect, be an Anglo-Scottish institution and would embrace all the existing Mark lodges, English, Scottish and unattached.
However, the two main protagonists had become so entrenched that neither side would accept such a proposal. In fact, Mark Grand Lodge had, by this time, constituted 21 lodges and so had become the predominant institution.
The Scottish Grand Chapter, in addition to granting a warrant to St Mark's Lodge in London would eventually warrant no less than 19 Mark lodges in England.
It took several more years before Mark Grand Lodge was recognized throughout the whole Masonic world but finally, on 18 June 1879, the Grand Chapter of Scotland gave its recognition - the last Masonic body to do so!
Brethren, I hope this short talk on the history and development of the Mark Degree has been of interest to you and may I thank you for your attention.
However, the two main protagonists had become so entrenched that neither side would accept such a proposal. In fact, Mark Grand Lodge had, by this time, constituted 21 lodges and so had become the predominant institution.
The Scottish Grand Chapter, in addition to granting a warrant to St Mark's Lodge in London would eventually warrant no less than 19 Mark lodges in England.
It took several more years before Mark Grand Lodge was recognized throughout the whole Masonic world but finally, on 18 June 1879, the Grand Chapter of Scotland gave its recognition - the last Masonic body to do so!
Brethren, I hope this short talk on the history and development of the Mark Degree has been of interest to you and may I thank you for your attention.
References
1. Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary’s Chapel) No. 1. Minute 31st July 1599
2. A Manual of Freemasonry published in 1835 written by Richard Carlile (1790-1843)
3. Wikipedia
4. A Ritual of Freemasonry published c.1900 by W Reeves, London WC
5. UGLE Quarterly Communication Minute 4 June 1856
6. A History of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons written by R.W.Bro. R M Handfield-Jones published 1969
2. A Manual of Freemasonry published in 1835 written by Richard Carlile (1790-1843)
3. Wikipedia
4. A Ritual of Freemasonry published c.1900 by W Reeves, London WC
5. UGLE Quarterly Communication Minute 4 June 1856
6. A History of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons written by R.W.Bro. R M Handfield-Jones published 1969
Posted 10 June 22
