Key Reasons why becoming a Mark Master Mason will enrich your Masonic experience, and discover the true link between the second and third derees in Craft Freemasonry.
Our enlightening ceremony informs you, as a Craftsman, practical and invaluable lessons, and how to apply them, as you conduct yourself through life. You will also gain a clearer understanding of many of the terms, phrases and characters which have been introduced to you during your journey through Craft Masonry.

To find out why we are called the friendly degree
Ask any Mark Mason to describe the Mark Degree, and they will invariably tell you that it is a most friendly Masonic Order, Brotherly love is the keystone of Mark Masonry, and the friendliness of the degree is clearly seen and experienced in our Lodges, with the genuine warmth of the welcome that is universally extended among all Mark Masons. Indeed whilst our message is key, there is no doubt that among Mark Masons you will ever find friends.
At least four other orders require you to be a Mark Master Mason before you can discover their symbolism, and further aid you Masonic knowledge and journey.
The 1813 union between the Ancients and Moderns in England was the specific recognition of the three Craft degrees only, including the Holy Royal Arch, but excluding the Mark Degree
As a result of this, a Craft Mason who joins other orders before the Mark Degree may be confused by their symbolism. Our Degree aids your understanding by adding essential background to the history of the construction of the Temple, the importance of the Keystone and the work of the Overseers.
However, in other recognised constitutions, the Mark Degree can be conferred in either Craft Lodges or Royal Arch Chapters and indeed is an essential pre-requisite, before exaltation into a Chapter can take place.

Specific Mark Charities

The Mark Benevolent Fund (MBF) is a registered charity which came into existence in 1868, on the suggestion of the Reverend George Raymond Portal, Grand Master of the Mark Degree. His views on charity were far more radical and progressive than the general thinking of the time. He felt that for charity to be effective it had to be disbursed swiftly and without the bureaucratic formalities of other Masonic charities. To him it was wrong for there to be any delay in providing assistance to those in need, and his own Latin tag “Bis dat qui cito dat” – he gives twice who gives promptly – became, and still is, the principal guideline of the MBF.
Locally, The West Lancashire Charity Fund provides relief and support to distressed Mark Master Masons of the Province, or their dependants, as a matter of immediacy. It can dispense prompt and direct help whilst further assistance is sought from the Mark Benevolent Fund, Craft charities, or social services. Speed of reaction is its watchword.
Charitable Giving – He gives twice who gives promptly.

The next step
In all our Masonic Halls there are trifold leaflets explaining the Mark Degree, and contact information for our network of Provincial Grand Masters Special Representatives. Contacting your local Special Representative will open a host of contact details of local Mark Lodges, and an introduction to local Mark Masons.
Feel Free to arrange to attend a Lodge festive board, social function, or one of our "Festival Presentations" where you will be able to enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the Mark Degree.

Then take the next step in Freemasonry………
A Step you will not regret.