Indian Masonry.

INDIAN MASONRY .

ON the evening of the 4 th ult . Lord Sandhurst , who is Pro District Grand Master of Bombay under the English Constitution , was installed in the presence of a large and representative gathering of Brethren , both European and native , as Most Worshipful Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India . Both the English and the Scottish Constitutions mustered

strong on this occasion , many enthusiastic Masons having come down as deputations representing Lodges from distant parts of India . It was a cosmopolitan gathering of Christians , Parsees , Hindus , and Mahomedans , and the oldest Masons there did not remember having witnessed such a large gathering of the members

of the Fraternity . Some of the officers and men of the men-ofwar lying in the harbour were also present on the occasion , a large number of retired Masons having also obtained cards of admission to witness the installation ceremony . The occasion was unique ,

because it is probably the first time in the history of Freemasonry in Bombay , or for the matter of that in the whole of India , that the two Constitutions have had one Grand Master to preside over their Lodges , and that that head has been the Governor of the Presidency .

As the Freemasons' Hall , Bombay , where all such gatherings are usually held , was deemed too small for such a great function , with the kind permission of the proprietor of the Novelty Theatre that house was converted for the time being into tbe Grand Lodge , which was decorated and illuminated on an extensive scale . The

Brethren were seated under their respective banners , which were arranged in the order of precedence of the several Lodges working under the Scottish Constitution , Bro . W . E . Jennings Grand Director of Music presiding at the organ , and playing selections to the Brethren assembled . The Grand Master Bro . J . W . Smith .

accompanied by his Office-bearers , entered the Lodge in procession and took the chair , when , Grand Lodge having been opened in ample form , and Bro . Captain C . D . Wise Grand Secretary having read the summons convening the Communication , Bro . I . M .

Shields Deputy District Grand Master of English Freemasonry , who paid a friendly visit to the Grand Lodge , was announced , and he was received , together with his Office-bearers , with the honours due to his position in the Craft .

The Grand Master then , in addressing the Grand Lodge , said : Brethren , —To explain to you the special business of this Communication may perhaps be considered a work of peroration , seeing that we all know perfectly well that we have assembled to instal in the chair of the Grand Master of All

Scottish Freemasonry in India H . E . Lord Sandhurst , Governor of Bombay . That is a circumstance upon which we Scottish Freemasons particularly congratulate ourselves . It is particularly gratifying to us to have secured the services as our Grand Master of so distinguished a Brother as the Governor of Bombay .

Knowing as we do how earnestly and energetically he has discharged his duties as Pro District Grand Master under the English Constitution , we feel perfectly certain that our interests as Scottish Freemasons are safe in his hands , and I trust that this Grand Lodge will prosper aud advance under his fostering care .

A fanfare of trumpets outside the Lodge announced the arrival of H . E . the Governor at about 6-30 p . m ., he being accorded a cordial reception . His Excellency having been conducted to the altar the Grand Master called upon the Grand Secretary to read the Commission , which was signed by the Rt . Hon . Lord Saltoun

Grand Master Mason of Scotland , and his Grand Secretary , and which authorised H . E . the Grand Master Designate to rule over the forty-three different Lodges in India , extending to Aden on the West , and Burmah on the East , Afghanistan and Baluchistan on the North , and Ceylon to the South . The Grand Chaplain having said a prayer suitable to the occasion ,

The Grand Master , addressing the Grand Master Designate , said : —Most Worshipful Sir , —It is scarcely necessary for me to point out the duties of the high office of " Grand Master of all Scottish Freemasonry in India which you are about to undertake .

We all know that you have proved a most energetic Mason , particularly under tbe English Constitution , and we doubt not that the interests of our Grand Lodge axe safe in your hands , and that the Grand Lodge will prosper and flourish under your rule .

H . E . Lord Sandhurst was then invested with the insignia and badge of his high office , and installed by the Grand Master in due and ancient form . The new Grand Master , who was greeted with loud and prolonged cheers , then addressed the Grand Lodge in the

following terms : —Most Worshipful Past Grand Master of all Scottish Freemasonry in India , Worshipful Brethen and Brethen all , —I have to-day undertaken in your presence a most solemn obligation to discharge the duties which have been so well carried out for five years by Wor . Bro . Smith the Past Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India . I know that

Indian Masonry.

I shall fall far short of the excellence he has shown in everything connected with Scottish Freemasonry in India , but I shall ask you , Brethren , to take me on trust that I shall do the very best I can for Scottish Freemasonry in India . I am well aware of the solemnity of the obligation , and also know that it is no empty

task that I have undertaken . But as I have done under the English Constitution so shall 1 do under the Scotch Constitution , and make it my most earnest duty to visit every Lodge , whereever it is , in every place , and more than that , to promote and strengthen and to encourage the Brethren of all the Lodges that

I may visit . I have but little claim to such high honours as those which have been showered upon me here in Freemasonry since I came to this Presidency . I came here as a Master Mason , but owing to dispensations , and owing to the indulgence of the Brethren , I have with rapid strides advanced in Freemasonry

beyond the merits that I possess . But as I have said in regard to all Scottish Freemasonry iu India , so I have to say with regard to Freemasonry under the English Constitution , that I recognise not only the honour of the post but also the duties of the post , and I shall do my utmost to fulfil them . I now ask

you , Most Worshipful Sir , and Worshipful Brethren and Brethren all , to accept my heartfelt thanks for the honour that has been done in selecting me as the Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India , and to repeat that so long as I occupy this honourable position my endeavours to fill it as successfully as my predecessor will be unremitting .

The Grand Secretary , in laying before the Grand Master excuses for non-attendance from some of the Brethren residing in distant parts of the country , announced a handsome donation made by a Brother by way of commemorating the auspicious occasion .

Bro . I . M . Shields then said that it was his duty and proud privilege , on behalf of the District Grand Lodge , to congratulate his Excellency on his elevation to the high post of Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India .

The Grand Lodge was then closed , and the Grand Master with his Officers , Deputy District Grand Master and his Officers , and others drove to the Town Hall , where a banquet was held in honour of the occasion , there being about 225 covers laid . Lord Sandhurst presided , and proposed the usual loyal toasts .

Bro . J . W . Smith , who was cordially received , said : Most Wor . Sir and Brethren , —I do not conceal from myself , and I do not endeavour to conceal form those present here this evening , the very great pleasure and gratification which I have in rising to propose the health of the Most Worshipful Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India . The position this evening is

unique , in that when we drink the health of the Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India , we at the same time toast his Excellency the Governor of Bombay , and the Pro District Grand Master of English Freemasonry . There have been captious critics—there are always critics about , and when their views do not coincide with ours , they are captious critics—and so I say

there have been captious critics who have suggested that because your Excellency is primarily an English Freemason , and holds the highest office under the English Constitution in the Presidency of Bombay , that the interests of Scottish Freemasonry will be subordinated to the interests of tho English Constitution . Those critics are not present this evening , and I

venture to say that I am speaking with the voice of all those present that we have no such misgivings , but that we are all fully content to be ruled over by a nobleman of high political power and influence , and particularly by a British gentleman who , whenever the interests of the two Constitutions may clash , or appear to clash , will consider fche matter impartially and

dispassionately , and will decide with justice and discrimination , so that while neither Constitution will be allowed to encroach upon the domains of the other Constitution , each Constitution will enjoy perfect freedom in its own particular sphere of action . We recognise , Most Worshipful Sir , the very great kindness you have shown us in coming down at this unusual

season of the year , at great personal inconvenience , to be installed in that high office which you have taken upon yourself this evening , leaving the cooling breezes of Mahableshwar for the sweltering stillness of Bombay . We are extremely grateful , Sir , for the trouble which you have taken in this respect , and we trust your term of office will be one of uninterrupted success

and pleasure , that no questions of a difficult and disturbing character may arise while you occupy the position of Grand Master . I feel , Most Worshipful Sir , that the Brethren are anxious for me to bring my speech to a close , and that they are desirous , without delay , of drinking your health as Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India .

The Grand Master , in replying to his toast , said : —Most Worshipful Sir , Worshipful Brethren and Brethren all , —You gave me in the Lodge a most cordial reception , and you have given my name this evening on the proposition of the Past Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India a still more cordial reception than you gave in the afternoon . I must thank

you , one and all , Brethren , for the way in which you have received me and the unanimous manner in which , as far as I can understand , I have been voted to be Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India . Most Worshipful Sir , you told us that there were some who criticised my nomination . I should be sorry indeed to think that there were none who had criticised it , because , if that were so , I should imagine that wo thought