Masonic Unity In India.

MASONIC UNITY IN INDIA .

O l ^ I Tuesday evening , the 15 th ult ., Lord Sandhurst Pro District Grand Master of Bombay under the English Constitution attended a meeting of Lodge St . George , where a degree was conferred on Captain Walton , the acting Military Secretary to his Excellency . Lord Sandhurst , at a later hour paid a casual visit to Lodge Rising Star of Western India , where the ceremony of installing a new Master was being performed .

The new Master thanked his Excellency for his presence , remarking that he felt particularly proud that , on his installation , the Lodge had had , for the first time during its existence of more than half a century , fche honour of a visit from such a distinguished Freemason as the Governor of the Presidency . His Excellency was soon to be installed as Grand Master of " All Scottish Freemasonry in India , " an office afc present held by

Bro . J . W . Smith , who desired that , in the interest of the Craft , it was both prudent and advisable that the high and distinguished Mason who held the hiram of the English Constitution , should also be Grand Master of the Scotch Constitution . The installation is to take place afc an early date , when his Excellency will occupy a truly unique position as the head of the Craft under both Constitutions .

Lord Sandhurst in the first place thanked the members of the Lodge for according him such a hearty welcome , and regretted that he could nofc stay wifch them at the banquefc ( which lie would do fche nexfc time * he visited the Lodge ) , on account of a prior engagement . The new Worshipful Master had referred in his speech to his presiding at no distant date

over the Scottish Freemasonry in India , extending over such a wide area , but he might state and acknowledge that in succeeding Bro . Smith in that position he would be at a very great disadvantage , because they all knew full well what ability and zeal he had brought to bear on the duties of the high office entrusted to him . He would like to add that he did not think

that it would depend upon the name and title of the individual who might for the time being be at the head of Scottish Freemasonry in India , which had now taken a deep root and was firmly planted , to ensure its success , but he hoped , when the time came , to do his best to preserve the dignity of the office and to work zealously in the cause of Freemasonry . As remarked by

the Worshipful Master tkere was no competition between English and Scotch Freemasonry , both of them having the same end in view , namely , to do their best for the Craft . It would be a matter of great pride to him on the 21 st of January next to be surrounded by Freemasons , he hoped , of both the Constitutions ,

when he went to lay the foundation stone of the new Masonic Temple . The Worshipful Master had been good enough to say that it was owing to his ( the speaker ' s ) endeavours and to the personal interest he took in the matter that the scheme was brought within a measurable distance of accomplishment , but he did not claim that credit to himself because he had been more

than ably seconded in his small endeavours by Bro . G . 0 . Dunn , one of the prominent members of the Hall Committee . He would be proud to be sui'rounded on the occasion of fche laying of the foundation stone by all the Freemasons in Bombay , but he looked forward with greater pride and satisfaction to the fact that at no distant date they would all meet together in the

Temple , the construction of whieh it was hoped the committee would not leave a stone unturned to finish as soon as practicable . He had listened wifch great pleasure to the allusion the Worshipful Master had made in regard to the generous donations made by the Lodge , and hoped thafc such donations would be

augmented . In conclusion he wished the Lodge every success . Bro . Fazulbhoy "Visram then proposed that Lord Sandhurst be elected an Honorary Member of the Lodge . The proposal was received with great applause . Lord Sandhurst thanked the Lodge for the honour sought to be done to him , and then left . — " Bombay Gazette . "

Masonic Titles.

MASONIC TITLES .

IT seems to the writer , resultant from a somewhat extended observation , that the common and indiscriminate use of so-called Masouic titles has reached a point where ifc might be discontinued to the advantage of all Masonic Societies . With the diffusion of knowledge respecting the various branches of the Masonic fraternity which prevails to a much greater extent

among those uot of their membership than was formerly the case , these alphabetical prefixes to the names of men seem out of date . Inside fche bodies the use of such titles may be excuseable , but only in a traditional sense , for even there they are of no force or significance . Tbe printed transactions and laws of these societies are within the reach of every one who wishes information concerning their business and legislation , their

Masonic Titles.

places of meeting and their membership , and in no strict sense are they secret societies except in respect to their ceremonies and the particular signs and * phraseology attached thereto . When all these things were considered as proper to be known only to the initiated , i . e ., before the day of publishing the transactions , it was a different matter . The title bestowed upon

the Master of a Lodge is expressive , dignified and simple , * yet he would hardly care to be addressed by it in everyday life , but to be addressed at , or reported as having been present upon some social occasion , as a most potent , or thrice illustrious , or extremely valiant and powerful prince , & c , is imposing upon him a burden which he ought not to be called

upon to bear simply because his associates have seen fit to choose him fco be fche presiding officer of a club , whether Masonic or otherwise . To see a newspaper account of a social or fraternal gathering , with the name of each participant attached to a large percentage of the alphabet , is to many thinking people arrant nonsense , and tends to belittle the Masonic societies and make them and fcheir members ridiculous

m the eyes of such . The use of these bombastic titles ought no longer to be tolerated , especially out of doors , and while there may be no impropriety in furnishing information for publication concerning social gatherings of Masons when the same is sought , it would appear in much better form if no official designations to all were to be given , or if they were , to confine them closely at

those which most briefly describe the functions of tbe Officer mentioned , such as Master , Commander , & c , avoiding all superfluities in that line . Those high sounding titles , whether abbreviated or not , confer no dignity upon the Brother who bears them , or the society which bestows them , and , excepting the one or two above mentioned , mean simply the presiding

Officer and his associates ; so that while a Brother who has gracefully responded to a sentiment or made a pleasing address at a banquet ( which is usually a commonplace collation , and a banquet by courtesy only ) may be referred to in the newspaper of next morning as a Valiant and V . M . G . and T . I . G . P ., & G ., will likely enough be the party who opens the door to admit the members when the Body is in session .

Such extravagance in the use of language if ever of any use or sense ( which is a matter of doubt ) can be of none at the present time . These titles , the use whereof is deprecated , were invented for the purpose of impressing upon the mind of the uninformed Brother the idea that he who bore such a title was of a superior body , or "High Mason , " with greater powers and

privileges than a Lodge could bestow ; but , thanks to the diffusion of Masonic knowledge and the enlightened legislation of Grand Lodges , every one now knows that such is not the case , and the absurd claims of superior rights or powers by virtue of holding such titles , with the right to confer them on others , which were formerly held , are no longer considered ; and since those degrees

have been placed under a permanent government the opportunities for the Masonic quack have become materially abridged . Ancient Freemasonry , pure and simple , consists of the three symbolic degrees , no more , no less ; and there are none higher , only more of them . The official designations of these symbolic degrees , and of the Officers who administer the affairs

appurtenant to them , are as expressive as they are simple and dignified , and the farther we get away from them in the direction of exalted Masonry the more pompous and unmeaning become the official titles . These societies are pleasant and social in fcheir nature , fcheir ceremonies are interesting , fcheir lessons are wholesome and beautifully illustrated , their

membership is composed of gentlemen wifch whom it is a pleasure to be associated , their influence is thoroughly good , and they deservedly have a large place in the estimation of our most intelligent Craftsmen ; but fche dread of being called upon as an illustrious prince of something or other , in addition to that of being called upon to speak at all , embarrasses one and renders it

difficult to live up to one ' s title . And then , too , there are societies and " rites" constantly being " discovered" and promoted as a part of Masonry , and each succeeding one of these outdoes its predecessor in extravagant nomenclature , and such are not easily distinguished from the established organisations by those not of their membership . This is greatly

to the disadvantage of the established Masonic societies , for the reason that the increasing use of these high-sounding titles creates in many minds an impression that they are Masonic and are used in a mock-heroic sense , and that therefore they are a burlesque or travesty and the ceremonies a huge practical joke . There is no doubt whatever of the facb that many men who would like to become members of the Fraternity , and who

would be desirable members thereof , are deterred from seeking admission by reason of such impressions . Is it not then in fche interest of the various branches of the Fraternity that the use of these lengthy designations be discontinued , and can we not in fche name of simplicity adopt the common forms of speech in connection with these pleasant and desirable associations , and thereby render them less liable to be thought frivolous , leaving