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Article THE PRETENDED DORMANCY OF THE AFRICAN LODGE. ← Page 2 of 2 Article NEWS FROM THE ORIENT. Page 1 of 2 Article NEWS FROM THE ORIENT. Page 1 of 2 →
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The Pretended Dormancy Of The African Lodge.
Mnsonie American Grand Lodges , and in Masonic ionrnnls in this Con"trv . a statement i * circulated that , the African Lodge in Boston , originallv No . ' 159 on the Register of the Grand Lodgo of England , had bpcn dormant between the years 1807 and 1824 . " Therefore I , Thomas Dalton , residing in that part of Boston called Cha'iestown , being eightv-throe years of ace , and having been
initiated in the said African Lodgo in the year eighteen hundred and twentv-five , do hereby declare , to the best of my knowledge and be ' i ' ef . thar the aforesaid = tatement about tho dormancy of tho African Tjnrli . p is without fonndation nnd fa ^ o . for the fol ' owinc reasons : — " First . 1 was intirnafely acqmii'ite 1 with all the old members of (• he sa > d L'vli'o , and often henrd them converse abont the then
ex'sting Arri < an Lodge years before I joined it . Subsequent to mv initiation , I took an interest in the affai rs of the Lodge , and frequently assoc i ated and converged wit '' the said brethren , and often heard them relate some of their old Masonic rominiscences , bnt I never heard that the Lodge had ovpr ceased holding its meetings regularly , until I was informed , the other day , abont , the rppnrts circulated to
that effect in the Proceedings of Grand Lodges of White Masons . " And . second . I was keeper of the archives of the African Lodge , nnd , to tho best of my knowledge and belief , I had in my possession the African Lodge Records covering the period of its alleged dormancy , I therefore once more repeat my conscientious belief that , the state , ment about tho dormancy of tho African Lodgo is totally false .
"Thos . Dalton . " "Suffolk s . s ., October 10 th . Then personally appeared Thomas Dalton , and made oath that the above statements , made and signed by him , are true , according to his best , knowledge and belief . "Edward S . Davis , Jus . Pac . Essex . "
I must add that Bro . Daltou bears an unexceptionable character for uprightness : that Mr . Davis , who certified Dalton's affidavit , is an ex-mayor of tho thriving town of Lynn , Massachusetts ; and that the newly-recovered African Lodge Record exploded the notion hitherto prevailing among tho coloured brethren—viz ., that their Lodgo declared its independence in 1808 , and that it chartered at the same
time two Lodges in other States . The Record before mo does not fnrnish the slightest evidence in support of that notion , but , on the contrary , the proof is overwhelming that no charter was granted by the said Lodge before its declaration of independence ; and then , 1827 , it chartered only "Harmony Lodge , " in Providenco , Rhode
Island , nnd no other Lodge was chartered by the African Lodgo during tho period covered by my Record . As I believo that further proof in support of the fact of tho continued activity of the African Lodge between 1807 nnd 1824 to be at present unnecessary , I conelude , with fraternal greetings , Your 3 respectfully , JACOB NORTON . Boston , 21 st October 1876 .
Offico of the City Registrar , Boston , 18 th October 1876 . DEAR BRO . NORTON " , —I have examined , with considerable interest , what purports to be a Record of tho Proceedings of the African Lodge in Boston , from the year 1807 to 1846 . That that portion of tho minutes , from the first named year to 1826 , is a genuine transcript of the original Record there is no reason , I think , to doubt ,
and I feel equally certain that the snbseqnent portion , from 1826 to 1846 , is tho original Record itself . Indeed , the evidences of tho authenticity of this Record are so obvions , it so ms to mo that ono would have to shnt his eyes in order not to see them . That you may be successful in exposing error , by diffusing light and knowledge on the genuine principles of Masonry , is the sincerest wish of , Yours fraternally , N . A . APOILONTO , P . M . of St . Paul's and Adelphi Lodges .
News From The Orient.
NEWS FROM THE ORIENT .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Your journal being regarded as the faithful exponent of true Masonic principles , —containing literary articles of no ordinary standard , as well as most interesting news concerning the operations of the Ancient Fraternity in all parts of the globe , —has , I believe , found a highly appreciative circle of readers
on this side of India , and also , no doubt , in other parts of tho East . I am , therefore , indnced to send you some scraps of intelligence from this active centre of Freemasonry , and , should they prove acceptable , yon may hear from me again . Brethren at home can at best but form a very imperfect idea of the
great and good influence which Freemasonry is exercising in this land . The progress it has made for some years past is undonbtedly to be chiefly attributed to tho noble and untiring energies of two of the most highly esteemed members of society in Bombay , in their respective spheres of life , who at present preside over the destinies of the Provincial Craft .
For many years Scottish Freemasonry , under tho regis of the late Sir James Bnrnes , K . H ., Physician-General of Bombay , monopolized the post of hononr in the Western Presidency , and , with one exception , until recently , the whole of the Lodges wero working under chnrters obtained from the Grand Lodge of Scotland . Tho exception
to which I refer was Lodge " Orion in the West , " established in Ponna many years ago ( I forget the exact date ) , but I know that in 1815 it had collapsed . I am glad , however , to note that it has for some time been resuscitated , and is now in a prosperous condition , being worked With undoubted ability I may , in passing , refer to tho establishment
News From The Orient.
of another Lodge , which had but an evanescent existence , called " Olive Branch in the East , " which faded away without leavtn ? its mark behind , owing to its exclusive , and , consequently , un . Masonio oharaeter . Lodge " St . George" was the first English Craft , Lodge that established itself dming the last half-centnry in Bombay , and amidst all
the fluctuations nnd vicissitndps to which all mundane institutions are subject , it is now doing well . * As the restrictions of the old East India Comrnnv were removed , ; ts prestige snpplanted , and the gnnrdi mshin of India assumed by tho Tmnori d Government , so the beneficent infinnn ^ e of the Craft ex . tended , nnd Lo dges , Chapters , nnd Encampments , as well as those
of tho " I ' antes ClrcAi'st . under warrants from the English and Scottish Grand Lodges and Councils alike , have gradually increased in nnmber and influence , and tho " Good Cause , " at the present timo , is now in so flourishing a condition that it angnrs well for tho future of Free . masonry in this vast Eastern Empire . As I havo already remarked , this most satisfactory rnsnlt is almost
entirely owing to the nb ! liiy and vigour which characterise the chiefs of the Craft in Western India . The present M . W . Grand Master of all Scottish Freemasonry in India , Bro . Captain Henry Morland , is indefatigable in his exertions to promote , extend , and keen pure tho Craft . He is foremost in every good work , unceasing in his attention to the duties of h'S exalted office , and untiring in his
efforts to strengthen . and maintain the Ancient Landmarks . His constant , visitations to the "Daughter" Lodges nnder his control , and the vigilant supervision exercised bv him , have , a most healthy and invigorating influence , which is felt by all . H « is . fortunately , most ably snppnrted by his Depute and Substitute Grand Masters , T { . \ V Bros . Macintosh Balfour and K . R . Cama . The former gentleman ,
possessed oF the best qualities which ornament the genuine Crafts , man , blending the genial graces of the " scion of a worthy sire " with a thorough practical knowledge of the working of the C ^ affc , from the installation to tho first degree , one and all of which he works admirably . R . W . K . R . Cama , Snbstituto Grand Mastpr . an honoured member
of onr learned societies , and a most orndite Oriental scholar , deservedly holds tho next distinguished position in the Scottish Grand Lodge of India . Belonging to ono of the most ancient families of the Zoroastrian community , he is held in the highest respect and esteem , not only bv his fellow countrymen , bnt by all those savans of European and Oriontal fame , who , like himself , have devoted their timo and talents to the education of tho lore and
languages of Eastern nations . Regarded as a ""Model Mento * -, " ha has earned for himself an enviablo and onduring name throughout the Fraternity . As I must confine my remarks in this brief notico within certain limits , I must defer allusion to other distinguished "Masters in Israel " until another opportunity ; it , is , therefore , to be hoped that no offence will be cansed by the prominence given to those connected with the Scottish branch of tho parent-tree .
On Saturday last , the 7 th Oct ,., the regular monthly meeting of the Rising Star of Western India Lodge was held in the Masonio Hall , Cumballa Hill , pleasantly situated on the outskirts of the e ty . The R W . Master , Darashah D . Reporter , ocennied the Chair of K . S ., nnd was supported on the dais by R . W . Bro . K . R . Cama . R . W . Bro . Chiehgnr , a most promising nnd enthusiastic Mason , W . B . Mnrzban ,
one of the staunchest , oldest and best members of the Craft in Tndia , and who has visited and been honoured in many of the Lodges at home , W . Bros . MeClnmpha , J . Gnstnd jee , A J . Bhajn vallah , Pheroshah M . Mehta , aud though " last , not least , " Bro . Hormusji Dadabhai . After the usual preliminary bnsiness of reading , confirming and
recording the minntes of the previous meeting , and the proceedings of the Standing Committee had been transacted , one nf the most pleasing incidents connected with tho objects for which the Lodge had assembled , took place , namely , the recognition of the valnable services for many , many years past , rendered to the Fraternity by W . Bro . Manockjee Cursetjee , a retired Judge of the Court of Small Causes in Bombay . A confrere and confidante of the late Dr . Bnrnes ,
the late Honourable Phillip Le Geyt , and Dr . Barton , formerly Senior Magistrate of this City , all of whom held the position of Provincial Grand Master , W . Bro . Manockjee Cursetjee has proved himself a , staunch Mason , and has thoroughly earned the gratitude of his brethren in this instance , by the high compliment paid him . of being elected an honorary member of the Lodge Rising Star of Western India .
In the course of the evening the sublime degree was conferred upon a member of the Mahomedan community , who promises to fnlfil the expectations of his best friends . The able and impressive manner in which the R . W . Master conferred it left a most lasting impression on the minds of all those who were privileged to listen to his eloquent perorations . His descriptive powers in delivering that
revered " Legend of Old drew from the oldest Past Masters present a candid nnd well-earned acknowledgment of his genuine worth and talents . The Lodge is likewise to be complimented on the really judicious selection of the Wardens and Deacons . Tn fact all the officers of t ' ie Lodge ably supported the W . Master , and it was the concurrent opinion of the JPast Masters on the dais that one and all had dona their work well .
At the conclusion of the labours of the lodge , the brethren retired to refreshment , and partook of the good things of this life so amply provided for them . Whilst tho " enp of kindness" was passed round , and many fraternal expressions exchanged , toasts were proposed and responded to . The visiting brethren received their due mead of compliment , responding to which W . Bro , MeClnmpha gracefully acknowledged the cordial welcome the visitors had received , and paid a deserved encomium on the excel .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Pretended Dormancy Of The African Lodge.
Mnsonie American Grand Lodges , and in Masonic ionrnnls in this Con"trv . a statement i * circulated that , the African Lodge in Boston , originallv No . ' 159 on the Register of the Grand Lodgo of England , had bpcn dormant between the years 1807 and 1824 . " Therefore I , Thomas Dalton , residing in that part of Boston called Cha'iestown , being eightv-throe years of ace , and having been
initiated in the said African Lodgo in the year eighteen hundred and twentv-five , do hereby declare , to the best of my knowledge and be ' i ' ef . thar the aforesaid = tatement about tho dormancy of tho African Tjnrli . p is without fonndation nnd fa ^ o . for the fol ' owinc reasons : — " First . 1 was intirnafely acqmii'ite 1 with all the old members of (• he sa > d L'vli'o , and often henrd them converse abont the then
ex'sting Arri < an Lodge years before I joined it . Subsequent to mv initiation , I took an interest in the affai rs of the Lodge , and frequently assoc i ated and converged wit '' the said brethren , and often heard them relate some of their old Masonic rominiscences , bnt I never heard that the Lodge had ovpr ceased holding its meetings regularly , until I was informed , the other day , abont , the rppnrts circulated to
that effect in the Proceedings of Grand Lodges of White Masons . " And . second . I was keeper of the archives of the African Lodge , nnd , to tho best of my knowledge and belief , I had in my possession the African Lodge Records covering the period of its alleged dormancy , I therefore once more repeat my conscientious belief that , the state , ment about tho dormancy of tho African Lodgo is totally false .
"Thos . Dalton . " "Suffolk s . s ., October 10 th . Then personally appeared Thomas Dalton , and made oath that the above statements , made and signed by him , are true , according to his best , knowledge and belief . "Edward S . Davis , Jus . Pac . Essex . "
I must add that Bro . Daltou bears an unexceptionable character for uprightness : that Mr . Davis , who certified Dalton's affidavit , is an ex-mayor of tho thriving town of Lynn , Massachusetts ; and that the newly-recovered African Lodge Record exploded the notion hitherto prevailing among tho coloured brethren—viz ., that their Lodgo declared its independence in 1808 , and that it chartered at the same
time two Lodges in other States . The Record before mo does not fnrnish the slightest evidence in support of that notion , but , on the contrary , the proof is overwhelming that no charter was granted by the said Lodge before its declaration of independence ; and then , 1827 , it chartered only "Harmony Lodge , " in Providenco , Rhode
Island , nnd no other Lodge was chartered by the African Lodgo during tho period covered by my Record . As I believo that further proof in support of the fact of tho continued activity of the African Lodge between 1807 nnd 1824 to be at present unnecessary , I conelude , with fraternal greetings , Your 3 respectfully , JACOB NORTON . Boston , 21 st October 1876 .
Offico of the City Registrar , Boston , 18 th October 1876 . DEAR BRO . NORTON " , —I have examined , with considerable interest , what purports to be a Record of tho Proceedings of the African Lodge in Boston , from the year 1807 to 1846 . That that portion of tho minutes , from the first named year to 1826 , is a genuine transcript of the original Record there is no reason , I think , to doubt ,
and I feel equally certain that the snbseqnent portion , from 1826 to 1846 , is tho original Record itself . Indeed , the evidences of tho authenticity of this Record are so obvions , it so ms to mo that ono would have to shnt his eyes in order not to see them . That you may be successful in exposing error , by diffusing light and knowledge on the genuine principles of Masonry , is the sincerest wish of , Yours fraternally , N . A . APOILONTO , P . M . of St . Paul's and Adelphi Lodges .
News From The Orient.
NEWS FROM THE ORIENT .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Your journal being regarded as the faithful exponent of true Masonic principles , —containing literary articles of no ordinary standard , as well as most interesting news concerning the operations of the Ancient Fraternity in all parts of the globe , —has , I believe , found a highly appreciative circle of readers
on this side of India , and also , no doubt , in other parts of tho East . I am , therefore , indnced to send you some scraps of intelligence from this active centre of Freemasonry , and , should they prove acceptable , yon may hear from me again . Brethren at home can at best but form a very imperfect idea of the
great and good influence which Freemasonry is exercising in this land . The progress it has made for some years past is undonbtedly to be chiefly attributed to tho noble and untiring energies of two of the most highly esteemed members of society in Bombay , in their respective spheres of life , who at present preside over the destinies of the Provincial Craft .
For many years Scottish Freemasonry , under tho regis of the late Sir James Bnrnes , K . H ., Physician-General of Bombay , monopolized the post of hononr in the Western Presidency , and , with one exception , until recently , the whole of the Lodges wero working under chnrters obtained from the Grand Lodge of Scotland . Tho exception
to which I refer was Lodge " Orion in the West , " established in Ponna many years ago ( I forget the exact date ) , but I know that in 1815 it had collapsed . I am glad , however , to note that it has for some time been resuscitated , and is now in a prosperous condition , being worked With undoubted ability I may , in passing , refer to tho establishment
News From The Orient.
of another Lodge , which had but an evanescent existence , called " Olive Branch in the East , " which faded away without leavtn ? its mark behind , owing to its exclusive , and , consequently , un . Masonio oharaeter . Lodge " St . George" was the first English Craft , Lodge that established itself dming the last half-centnry in Bombay , and amidst all
the fluctuations nnd vicissitndps to which all mundane institutions are subject , it is now doing well . * As the restrictions of the old East India Comrnnv were removed , ; ts prestige snpplanted , and the gnnrdi mshin of India assumed by tho Tmnori d Government , so the beneficent infinnn ^ e of the Craft ex . tended , nnd Lo dges , Chapters , nnd Encampments , as well as those
of tho " I ' antes ClrcAi'st . under warrants from the English and Scottish Grand Lodges and Councils alike , have gradually increased in nnmber and influence , and tho " Good Cause , " at the present timo , is now in so flourishing a condition that it angnrs well for tho future of Free . masonry in this vast Eastern Empire . As I havo already remarked , this most satisfactory rnsnlt is almost
entirely owing to the nb ! liiy and vigour which characterise the chiefs of the Craft in Western India . The present M . W . Grand Master of all Scottish Freemasonry in India , Bro . Captain Henry Morland , is indefatigable in his exertions to promote , extend , and keen pure tho Craft . He is foremost in every good work , unceasing in his attention to the duties of h'S exalted office , and untiring in his
efforts to strengthen . and maintain the Ancient Landmarks . His constant , visitations to the "Daughter" Lodges nnder his control , and the vigilant supervision exercised bv him , have , a most healthy and invigorating influence , which is felt by all . H « is . fortunately , most ably snppnrted by his Depute and Substitute Grand Masters , T { . \ V Bros . Macintosh Balfour and K . R . Cama . The former gentleman ,
possessed oF the best qualities which ornament the genuine Crafts , man , blending the genial graces of the " scion of a worthy sire " with a thorough practical knowledge of the working of the C ^ affc , from the installation to tho first degree , one and all of which he works admirably . R . W . K . R . Cama , Snbstituto Grand Mastpr . an honoured member
of onr learned societies , and a most orndite Oriental scholar , deservedly holds tho next distinguished position in the Scottish Grand Lodge of India . Belonging to ono of the most ancient families of the Zoroastrian community , he is held in the highest respect and esteem , not only bv his fellow countrymen , bnt by all those savans of European and Oriontal fame , who , like himself , have devoted their timo and talents to the education of tho lore and
languages of Eastern nations . Regarded as a ""Model Mento * -, " ha has earned for himself an enviablo and onduring name throughout the Fraternity . As I must confine my remarks in this brief notico within certain limits , I must defer allusion to other distinguished "Masters in Israel " until another opportunity ; it , is , therefore , to be hoped that no offence will be cansed by the prominence given to those connected with the Scottish branch of tho parent-tree .
On Saturday last , the 7 th Oct ,., the regular monthly meeting of the Rising Star of Western India Lodge was held in the Masonio Hall , Cumballa Hill , pleasantly situated on the outskirts of the e ty . The R W . Master , Darashah D . Reporter , ocennied the Chair of K . S ., nnd was supported on the dais by R . W . Bro . K . R . Cama . R . W . Bro . Chiehgnr , a most promising nnd enthusiastic Mason , W . B . Mnrzban ,
one of the staunchest , oldest and best members of the Craft in Tndia , and who has visited and been honoured in many of the Lodges at home , W . Bros . MeClnmpha , J . Gnstnd jee , A J . Bhajn vallah , Pheroshah M . Mehta , aud though " last , not least , " Bro . Hormusji Dadabhai . After the usual preliminary bnsiness of reading , confirming and
recording the minntes of the previous meeting , and the proceedings of the Standing Committee had been transacted , one nf the most pleasing incidents connected with tho objects for which the Lodge had assembled , took place , namely , the recognition of the valnable services for many , many years past , rendered to the Fraternity by W . Bro . Manockjee Cursetjee , a retired Judge of the Court of Small Causes in Bombay . A confrere and confidante of the late Dr . Bnrnes ,
the late Honourable Phillip Le Geyt , and Dr . Barton , formerly Senior Magistrate of this City , all of whom held the position of Provincial Grand Master , W . Bro . Manockjee Cursetjee has proved himself a , staunch Mason , and has thoroughly earned the gratitude of his brethren in this instance , by the high compliment paid him . of being elected an honorary member of the Lodge Rising Star of Western India .
In the course of the evening the sublime degree was conferred upon a member of the Mahomedan community , who promises to fnlfil the expectations of his best friends . The able and impressive manner in which the R . W . Master conferred it left a most lasting impression on the minds of all those who were privileged to listen to his eloquent perorations . His descriptive powers in delivering that
revered " Legend of Old drew from the oldest Past Masters present a candid nnd well-earned acknowledgment of his genuine worth and talents . The Lodge is likewise to be complimented on the really judicious selection of the Wardens and Deacons . Tn fact all the officers of t ' ie Lodge ably supported the W . Master , and it was the concurrent opinion of the JPast Masters on the dais that one and all had dona their work well .
At the conclusion of the labours of the lodge , the brethren retired to refreshment , and partook of the good things of this life so amply provided for them . Whilst tho " enp of kindness" was passed round , and many fraternal expressions exchanged , toasts were proposed and responded to . The visiting brethren received their due mead of compliment , responding to which W . Bro , MeClnmpha gracefully acknowledged the cordial welcome the visitors had received , and paid a deserved encomium on the excel .