Page 23 - Ashlar July-September 2019

N A L G R
I O
G E AND LODGE
The Ashlar R Vol. XV Issue II
even less successful than the 1793 body. being of note. In 1991 it was decided to use the
Morton Edwards, having been passed to the December Communication of Mark Grand
Chair of Noah, seems to have been fired with Lodge instead as the Annual Assembly of Royal
the ambition of reviving the Grand Lodge of Ark Mariners which is held at Freemason's Hall,
Royal Ark Mariners. Accordingly a meeting was Great Queen Street, London in order to
held on 13 May 1870 in the Bow Road, London, accommodate the numbers wishing to attend.
house of Brother Dorrington and it was agreed The Assembly is used for the purpose of
to reconstitute a Grand Lodge. conferring Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank
Since a number of Mark Lodges had also (RAM GR) on Past Commanders who have
begun to work the Degree there was some rendered meritorious service in the Degree.
conflict with The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Any member of the Order may attend the
Masons, which had been formed in 1856. This Assembly.
came to a head when Brother The Reverend More recently the beautiful Tracing Board has
Canon Portal, Grand Master of the Grand been re-introduced, it having been out of favour
Lodge of Mark Master Masons, announced, for over one hundred years. The explanation is
also in 1870, that since the Degree of Ark quite long and is often given in sections by a
Mariner had been worked in Mark Lodges number of Brethren.
since 1790, the Mark would protect the Royal Elevation (the ceremony of entrance to the
Ark Mariner degree under a new Grand Order) into the Royal Ark Mariner Degree
Master's Royal Ark Council. This is the reason commemorates the providence and mercy of
for Mark Grand Lodge's current control of the God and relates to the legend of the Deluge.
Royal Ark Mariners. The content of the ceremony is taken directly
The conflict and dissent continued well after from The Bible and is naturally both beautiful
1870 until the Grand Lodge of Mark Master and instructive. When the candidate enters the
Masons simply purchased the Degree from Lodge room his attention is directed to the three
Morton Edwards for the sum of £25! The pillars of Beauty, Strength and Wisdom and at
receipt for this transaction still hangs in the one stage the Ark is momentarily symbolised in
library of Mark Masons' Hall in St. James's terms similar to the Ark of Salvation. The
Street, London. candidate is finally instructed to advance in the
Since that time the Grand Master of the Grand spirit of the Cardinal Virtues.
Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and The teaching of the Degree emphasizes the
Wales and its Districts and Lodges Overseas is importance of the family strengths and the need
automatically Grand Master of The Ancient and for each member of society to play his part for
Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners. the benefit of all. We are taught that out of chaos
The Degree of Royal Ark Mariner may only be and catastrophe mankind can survive and that
conferred on Mark Master Masons, the we should face adversity together, helping to
government of the two Degrees is inextricably look after those less fortunate than ourselves.
linked and a Royal Ark Mariner Lodge is said to During the ceremony analogies are drawn
be moored to a Mark Lodge bearing the same between the dangers of the flood and the
number, irrespective of age, and generally, but dangers of life. We are reminded of how we
not necessarily, bearing the same name. should strive to reach the Ark, the haven of rest,
Since the Grand Lodge of Mark Master just as Noah's family and the other occupants of
Masons assumed the responsibility of the the Ark did in the Biblical tales of the Deluge.
Fraternity it has grown steadily with two events Most Royal Ark Mariner Lodges meet three

21