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Article TO THE R. W. PROV. G. M. FOR SUMATRA. ← Page 2 of 3 →
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To The R. W. Prov. G. M. For Sumatra.
you into this matter . Imprimis , do you , on consideration , believe the replies as stated are any thing like an answer from a Masonic Governor , to charges so seriously affecting his tenure of office—does any attempt at a general denial give the impress of fact ? When and uhere did you hold a grand Lodge in Sumatra ? Have you any minute-book of such Grand Lodge , and did you evei comply with the direction contained in Article 9 , page 49 , of the Constitutions .
How came you , in the name of wonder , to meddle with the native chiefs of Pulo-Penang ? If they were to be initiated , the ceremony should have been conducted by the Master , Wardens , and Brethren of the Neptune Lodge , No . 293 , established , as I believe by the Athol constitution , in that settlement about the year , 1803 . When did you nominate a Deputy Grand Master , and what was his name ? Did he pay for his patent agreeable to Articles , ( vide
p . Ill Constitutions ) , or did you graciously remit the payment ? for I do not find any entry thereof in the cash-books of the Grand Lodge of England . However , if you did nominate and appoint , what are the duties he has to perform in Lodge " Rising Sun , " ( -242 ) , Fort Marlbro ' , East Indies?—Poor 21-2 ! It ' has to endure the infliction of a total abstinence ( from duty ) of its Provincial Grand Master , and to be borne down by the superincumbent weight of a
Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and a whole cortege of the purple , who , like itself , we credibly believe to exist but in name . Be it distinctly understood , that if in Sumatra there exist a Lodge at all , there is but one ; why then is Freemasonry ridiculed by such a mockery , as to palm such a fallacy upon the Grand Lodge of England ? Your observation , that the Grand Stewards are of importance to the Craft , is not germane to the question . That body are most essential to
the vitality of the order , as may possibly be proved at some other time ; but you will excuse my smiling at your mode of proving that the fees of honour aid the public charity , —yourself admitting that you have never paid such fees , —and I backing you with a declaration that your deputy , if such there be , has neglected to pay his . Having thus disposed of your immediate case , allow me to enlighten you somewhat on matters in general .
You may not be aware that Pulo Penang , or Prince of Wales' island , is not in the Sumatra Masonic district . In the Masonic Calendar you will not find it so placed . Had the Neptune Ledge , 29 . 3 , acknowledged your sway , would they have referred matters of Masonic polity to the Grand Lodge of Bengal , when they found that such Grand Lodge was re-established ?
Again . The Grand Lodge of Bengal , after such reference , considering that the Neptune Lodge came within its jurisdiction , called upon the members to make the usual returns ; which was declined , the reference being stated to express only a desire for advice ; the allegiance being solely directed to the Grand Lodge of England , the Neptune Lodge haying never acknowledged any intermediate authority since its first constitution in 1 S 03 ; and in this view the late illustrious Grand
Master coincided . Now , right worshipful (!) sir , what business could you have to make , pass , and raise native chiefs in Penang ? Many years ago I was presented with a native Penang lawyer , and was told there was no other professional organ , and even that was only required whenever a native
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The R. W. Prov. G. M. For Sumatra.
you into this matter . Imprimis , do you , on consideration , believe the replies as stated are any thing like an answer from a Masonic Governor , to charges so seriously affecting his tenure of office—does any attempt at a general denial give the impress of fact ? When and uhere did you hold a grand Lodge in Sumatra ? Have you any minute-book of such Grand Lodge , and did you evei comply with the direction contained in Article 9 , page 49 , of the Constitutions .
How came you , in the name of wonder , to meddle with the native chiefs of Pulo-Penang ? If they were to be initiated , the ceremony should have been conducted by the Master , Wardens , and Brethren of the Neptune Lodge , No . 293 , established , as I believe by the Athol constitution , in that settlement about the year , 1803 . When did you nominate a Deputy Grand Master , and what was his name ? Did he pay for his patent agreeable to Articles , ( vide
p . Ill Constitutions ) , or did you graciously remit the payment ? for I do not find any entry thereof in the cash-books of the Grand Lodge of England . However , if you did nominate and appoint , what are the duties he has to perform in Lodge " Rising Sun , " ( -242 ) , Fort Marlbro ' , East Indies?—Poor 21-2 ! It ' has to endure the infliction of a total abstinence ( from duty ) of its Provincial Grand Master , and to be borne down by the superincumbent weight of a
Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and a whole cortege of the purple , who , like itself , we credibly believe to exist but in name . Be it distinctly understood , that if in Sumatra there exist a Lodge at all , there is but one ; why then is Freemasonry ridiculed by such a mockery , as to palm such a fallacy upon the Grand Lodge of England ? Your observation , that the Grand Stewards are of importance to the Craft , is not germane to the question . That body are most essential to
the vitality of the order , as may possibly be proved at some other time ; but you will excuse my smiling at your mode of proving that the fees of honour aid the public charity , —yourself admitting that you have never paid such fees , —and I backing you with a declaration that your deputy , if such there be , has neglected to pay his . Having thus disposed of your immediate case , allow me to enlighten you somewhat on matters in general .
You may not be aware that Pulo Penang , or Prince of Wales' island , is not in the Sumatra Masonic district . In the Masonic Calendar you will not find it so placed . Had the Neptune Ledge , 29 . 3 , acknowledged your sway , would they have referred matters of Masonic polity to the Grand Lodge of Bengal , when they found that such Grand Lodge was re-established ?
Again . The Grand Lodge of Bengal , after such reference , considering that the Neptune Lodge came within its jurisdiction , called upon the members to make the usual returns ; which was declined , the reference being stated to express only a desire for advice ; the allegiance being solely directed to the Grand Lodge of England , the Neptune Lodge haying never acknowledged any intermediate authority since its first constitution in 1 S 03 ; and in this view the late illustrious Grand
Master coincided . Now , right worshipful (!) sir , what business could you have to make , pass , and raise native chiefs in Penang ? Many years ago I was presented with a native Penang lawyer , and was told there was no other professional organ , and even that was only required whenever a native