THE ARCANE SCHOOLS - Fort Myers Beach Masonic Lodge No. 362

into England from America within two years of the death of the Duke of Sussex.
On the 4th June, 1856, an attempt was made to foist the ceremonial of the Mark
degree into the Craft series, but was rejected as an impossibility, as the "Articles
of Union" state that pure Freemasonry consists of three degrees and no more; on
this occasion Brother John Henderson, the Grand Registrar, said that, -- "no
man, nor body of men, could make such innovation as that proposed, without
endangering the whole fabric of the Institution." The Earl of Dalhousie was
appointed Deputy G.M. in 1857. {526}
Between October 1855 and September 1857, many of the Canadian Craftsmen
withdrew themselves from under our banner alleging neglect by the officials of
Grand Lodge, and thereupon erected a Grand Lodge of their own. This led to the
formation of a "Colonial Board" in 1856 by the Grand Lodge of England, and the
establishment of a second Grand Lodge in Canada. On this occasion England
lost the Canadian Lodges, save a few Masons who remained faithful to their old
allegiance. The two Grand Lodges, thus formed in Canada united 14th July, 1858
under the designation of "The Grand Lodge of Canada." These troubles led to
the resignation of Bro. Wm. Hy. White, who had been Gd. Secretary since the
union of 1813, and to the appointment in 1857 of Brother William Gray Clarke.
The nucleus of a Masonic Hall was begun in Manchester 27th,June, 1857, by
taking the upper floor of rooms over the shops with an opening at 78 Cross
Street, and dividing the same into Refreshment room supplied by a back
staircase, a Lodge Room and a Tyler's Room; a club also was established. The
Liverpool Masonic Temple was commenced in 1858 by the purchase of a
building for 1,600 Pounds.
In April 1861 the Earl de Grey and Ripon was appointed Deputy G.M. On the 8th
January, 1862, the Grand Lodge voted an Address of Condolence to the Queen
on the death of her Consort on 14th December, 1861. In July, 1862, the Prov.
Gd. Master of East Lancashire Brother Stephen Blair, laid the foundation of a
Masonic Hall at Manchester, the necessary funds being raised by a Company of
Shareholders. On the 3rd December, 1862, it was resolved to revise the
numbering of the Lodges, thus eliminating the vacancies occurring since 1832.
The Masonic Hall at Manchester was opened by the Prov. Gd. Master 3rd
November, 1864. It had been in contemplation to improve the Masonic Hall,
London, by separating the Tavern entirely from that portion used for Grand
Lodge purposes, and on the 27th April, 1864, the Earl of Zetland, G.M., laid the
{527} foundation stone of the new building which was completed for Masonic
purposes in 1866.
In 1865 a revision of the "Book of Constitutions" was made and it was directed
that the term Prov. Grand Master in England, should be District Grand Master in
the Colonies and foreign parts. On the 7th June, 1865, the subject of the Mark
degree was again brought under discussion and it was resolved to refuse
recognition to the Mark Grand Lodge which had been established in 1856, the
ceremonial being treated as comparatively modern. The learned brother Dr.
George Oliver was interred with Masonic honours in 1867; and on the death of
Brother William Gray Clarke in 1868, Brother John Hervey became Grand