I. G. — Is lie in possession of tliem?

Tyler.^He is not ; but I will give them forliim^

(Colloquy repeated between I. G. and W. M.)

W. M. — Let him be admitted in due form.

(Candidate is introduced between the two Deacons, one
of whom applies C — 1 to 1 — t b— t, striking it with M — t,
saying — "Take heed on what you enter.")

W. M. — Let the Candidate kneel while the Blessing of
Heaven is invoked on our proceedings.

Chaplain. — We supi)licate the continuance of Thine aid,
Gh Merciful Lord, on behalf of ourselves and him who
now seeks advancement in our Order, we humbly pray
Thee that Brotherly love, relief, and truth may always
prevail amongst the members of this Lodge, and that this
bond of union may continue to strengthen the Lodges
throughout the World.

P. M.— So mote it be!

W. M. — Let the Candidate rise ! Since the building
of King Solomon's Temple, and the institution of the
Degree of Mark Master, as now practised, a regulation has
been made amongst the craft that no one should be
advanced to the rank which you now desire unless he
has been previously raised to the Sublime Degree of
Master Mason, have you attained that high honor.

Gand. — I have.

W.- M. — Gdve me the proof?

(Cand. gives me the signs, &c., of the third Degree.)

W. M. — Li former times it was the Custom in all
Fellow craft Lodges for each F. C. to choose a Mark by
w^hich his work might be known to his Overseer, this Mark
must consist of three, five, seven, nine, or eleven lines,
or salient points joined together by lines, the figure
selected being one not previously borne by a Bro. of the
same Lodge, and the Triangle always excepted, that being

THE MARK MASTER's DEGREE. 55

the Mark Masters Mark of approval, tliey were at the
same time taught how to present their Mark at the
Wardens' wicket to receive their wages as Mark Masters
or Mark Men, the Sen. Deacon will now lead you to the
Registrars Table to choose a mark by which your future
work may be recognised.

S. D. — (to Candidate) It is my duty to inform yoit
that a copy of whatever mark may be choosen by you
will be inserted in the Register of this Lodge, and will
be returned for Registration in the Books of Grd. Lodge,
and cannot hereafter be changed, you will be permitted to
wear it on the Jewel which this entitles you to wear.

(Candidate select his Mark, after which the S. D.
conducts him to the W. M., and says)

S. D. — W. M. ! the Mark which our Bro. has selected
is aptly chosen and clearly defined.

(The AV. M. places Triangle around the Mark and says)

"W. M. — Bro. A. B.! I admire the ability displayed in the
selection of your Mark, such ingenuity deserves encourage-
ment. Put forth your hand therefore with the fingers in

this position , now place the mark in , and

cover it with ball of thumb thus, and so present it at the
S. W.'s Wicket, and receive the wages due to patient
industry and merit.

(S. D. conducts him to the S. W.'s wicket and gives
Knocks of Fellow Craft.)

S. W. — W^hom have you there ?

S. D. — Bro. A. B., a trusty Fellow Craft, who has worked
well and worthily six days or less at King Solomon's
Temple, now comes by command of the W. M. to receive
the wages due to patient industry and merit.

S. W. — How shall I know him to be entitled to receive
them ?

S. D. — By the Sign I now offer! (gives it.)

50 THE MARK MASTEr's DEGREE.

S. W. — I acknowledge the correctness of the S. and
have pleasure in presenting to him tribute awarded ! Use
it and not abuse it, and go on your way rejoicing! Pass
Bro. —

S. W. — Takes Candidates right hand and says.

S. W. — W. M! I present to you Bro. , who has

served his time as a F. C, a Candidate properly prepared
to be advanced to the Degree of Mark Master, of which he
is desirous, that he may be enabled to preside over a Degree
of Operative Masons.

W. M. — Bro. S. W. ! your presentation shall be attended
to, for which purpose you will direct the S. D. to instruct
the Candidate to advanced to the P — in due form.

S. W. — Bro. S. D. it is the W. M.'s command that you
instruct the Candidate to advance to the East by proper
steps.

S. D. — The method of advancing from W. to E. in this
Degree is by, &c.

W. M. — As in every Degree the Secrets of Freemasonry
are to be kept separate and distinct, an 0. B. similar in
many respects to those in the former Degrees will be re-
quired of them, are you prepared to take it?

Cand. — I am.

W. M. — Then you will place both repeat

your names and say after me I in the

presence of the Grand Ovr. of the U., and this worthy
worshipful and regularly constituted Lodge of Mark Mrs.
do hereby and hereon sincerely and solemnly S. that I
will never divulge any or either, &c., to anyone in the
world unless it be to a true and regularly advanced Bro. or
Bros, whom I have sufficient reason to believe has come
by them in as legal a manner as I am about to do, or in
the body of a regularly constituted and warranted Lodge of
Mark Mrs., consisting of three or more. That I will

THE MARK MASTER's DEGREE. 57

acknowledge the Supremacy of the Grd. Lodge of Mark
Mrs. of England and Wales and the Dependancies of the
British Crown, and in every respect conform to the regu-
lations thereof; that I will obey the laws and regulations
of the — • Lodge of Mark Mrs., No. — , which I will always
acknowledge to be my Mother Lodge of Mark Mrs. That
I will receive a Bros. Mark when presented to me, and
grant his request if just and in my power, the same not
being detrimental to myself or connections, but I shall
not feel myself bound to relieve him until he has redeemed
his Mark from his former 0. B ! to all these points I
solemnly engage myself to observe under no less penalty

on the violation of either of them than that of — I

so help me the Gr. 0. of the U., and keep me steadfast in
this my solemn 0. B. of a Mark Mr.

W. M. — As a pledge, &c., four times, &c., arise!

newly obligated Mark Master. You will now proceed to
the Quarries to prepare a specimen of your work.

(The Can. retires. The Overs, take their seats at their
respective P — in centre of Lodge, in advance, respectfully,
of the W. M., Sr. and Jr. Wardens, each with Mallet and
Square. A report is made, the reply to enquiry is given,
and workmen from the Quarries, &c., are announced, the
S. D. with Square Ashlar; J. D. with oblong Ashlar; and
Cand., with K. Sts., enter, and in that order present
themselves at the left of J. Or., giving knocks 1, 1, 11.)

J. 0. — Whom have you there?

S. D. — Workmen from the Quarries, with Materials for
the Holy Temple at Jerusalem, which they are anxious to
submit for your inspection.

J. 0. — I will examine them with pleasure!

(Eeceives Sqr. Ashlar. S. D. applies the Square, gives
knocks 1, 1, 11 upon it, and says)

J. 0. — This is fair work and square work, and such as

58 THE MARK MASTEe's DEGREE.

is required for the building, and such as I was ordered to
receive.

S. D. — Will you give me the Pass Wd.

J. 0. — I will, that you may pass the W. Gate.

(Same colloquy with J. D. with rectangular stone, Can-
didate then x)resents in the same manner the K. St., which
is tested and examined as before.)

J. 0. — This is a curiously wrought stone, neither square
nor oblong ; I cannot receive it.

Can. — Will you give me the Pass Wd?

J. 0. — I cannot; your work not being in accordance
with my plan.

After leaving the J. Or. the Deacons in turn present
themselves in like manner to the Senior Overseer, who
examines the material submitted to him, making similar
remarks. Cand. then presents himself with Key- stone,
and after testing it the Senior overseer says —

S. Or. — This is a curiously wrought stone, neither
square nor oblong, nor such in any respect as my in-
structions will enable me to pass! Give me the Pass
Word you received from the Jun. Or. at the South Gate ?

Cand. — He declined to give it me, informing me that
my work was not in accordance with his plan.

Sen. Or. — Neither I can give you the Pass Word of the
West Gates. You can, however, if you like submit your
work to the Master Overseer as though it is not in accor^
dance with my plan, yet from the masterly skill displayed
in its execution I am unwilling to reject it on my own
responsibility, or you can return to the Quarries and there
prex^are other and better evidence of your ability.

(The Deacons in turn present themselves to the Master
Overseer who, after examining the materials, addresses
them in similar terms, the Ashlars being received and
deposited in a place of safety the Cand. then presents him-

THE MARK MASTEr's REPORT. 59

self with Key-stone, and Mr. Overseer after testing it
says)