Page 36 - Ashlar January - March 2025

N A L G R
I O
G E AND LODGE
The Ashlar R Vol. XIX Issue III
1856. Astonishingly, at the following humour, and, above all, strong moral lessons.
Communication in June, the minute was not The concept of Masons as “living stones”
confirmed. It transpires that this was less being built into a spiritual house, in parallel
because the Craft did not want the Mark but with the construction of the Temple, is a
rather that the proponents of the Mark did not powerful theme in the Degree.
want it to become a simple appendage to the Ideally the Mark, as is the requirement in other
Second Degree. Most authors now agree that constitutions, is a logical step from the Craft to
the covert dealings that went on behind the the Royal Arch and enables the candidate to
scenes were engineered to ensure that the more fully appreciate the structure and beauty
Mark would emerge in control of its own of Solomonic Masonry.
destiny. The fact that the Grand Lodge of Mark Mark Regalia
Master Masons was formed on 23rd June The regalia worn today was first designed for
1856, only 19 days after the rejection of the and worn by the members of the London Bon
minute relating to the Mark at the June Accord Mark Lodge in 1856. A Mark Master
Quarterly Communication of the Craft Grand Mason wears an apron similar to that of a
Lodge, is strong. Master Mason in the Craft except that the
However, none of this discussion alters the Mark apron is bordered with light blue with
purely logical argument that the Mark is, in crimson edges. He also wears a breast jewel
reality, as much part of pure Freemasonry as in the form of a keystone suspended from a
the Royal Arch. This is reinforced by the other ribbon of light blue and crimson. The Installed
stark fact that the Mark Degree is so Mark Master's apron is likewise similar to a
recognised by our two Sister Grand Lodges of Craft Installed Master's apron. Also, like the
Ireland and Scotland – and indeed by most Craft, when a brother receives Provincial
other constitutions throughout the world. In Grand Rank or Grand Rank the light blue is
almost every constitution the Mark Degree is replaced with Garter blue.
a pre-requisite for the Royal Arch. The Chair in the Craft. The Mark is also an
Mark Ritual essential qualification for the keen Mason
So why is the Mark so central to desiring to progress further in Orders beyond
Freemasonry? It is sometimes said to be an the Craft.
extension of the Second Degree in the Craft. Conclusion Why Should a Craft Mason be
But this rather simple assertion belies the fact a Mark Mason?
that the ceremony of admission, called Many reasons could be advanced, and some
Advancement, is longer in content than the have already been alluded to, but three are of
Third Degree. As previously mentioned, the special importance. Firstly, it greatly
present ceremony is derived from the earlier enhances his knowledge of Craft Masonry.
practice of conferring the degree of Mark Man Secondly, it teaches, in a delightful way, many
on Fellowcrafts and the degree of Mark important practical lessons about life. Thirdly,
Master on Master Masons. it gives a greater appreciation of the Royal
The ceremony of Advancement is based on Arch and provides an essential qualification to
the preparations for the building of KST and other Orders in Masonry.
follows the fate of an ambitious craftsman (the The first reason? There are many terms and
candidate) seeking promotion in his trade by phrases, even Biblical characters, introduced
demonstrating his skill and ability. In the early in the Craft that remain a mystery to many
part of the ceremony his talents go brethren. For example, what does the Senior
unrecognised and his hopes are dashed but Warden mean, at the closing of the Lodge, by
eventually he triumphs over adversity and is the expression “...having seen that every
justly rewarded for his work. It is a wonderful Brother has had his due”? This is but one
ceremony containing elements of drama and many peculiarities of the Craft that become

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