Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
principles upon which our Order is founded ; nor were the Bombay Brethren to be the first exception , and the result was , that many became eager for the privilege of wearing the badge of innocence , and to be received into the fraternity , some of whom were men of well known talent , enterprise , and honour . This feeling being observed and examined , some of the leading Brethren in Bombayafter mature considerationdetermined to gratify
, , their laudable inclinations ; but now appeared the difficulty , for , on more than one occasion , the only lodge in work in Bombay had negatived the admission of any native , even as a joining member ; therefore there could be no hope in that quarter , the opinion of the Lodge having been so decidedly given . But however we may admire the sincerity of its members , we may certainly doubt their judgment in the decision come to ; and hope that , by the future culture of Masonic principle ,
and observation of the fruit produced by " Rising Star , " the opinion acted upon may be proved to be erroneous . The only plan then that coulcl be adopted was to found a new Lodge for the purpose of the admission of native gentlemen , which was accordingly done , in the manner you have described in yonr former number , doubly guarding each of the grand landmarks of our Order ; every responsible office being filled by tried men and truetill others shall
, be found to be worthy . One thing , however , admits of but little doubt , that " Rising Star" will , before many years shall have passed away , have gained such altitude in the heavenly science , that it will shed a brilliancy over the whole of AVestem India , returning in tenfold degree the light it is now borrowing from the European Brotherhood ; for Lodges in India generally have not been able long to sustain a
character they have , for the most part , ephemerally or accidentally acquired ; for in India most men are but mere birds of passage , here to-day , and gone to-morrow ; and although a Lodge may have been ably and zealously presided over for a time , the Master , even before his term has expired , has perhaps heen ordered off to a distant station , where he may jiossibly be the only brother . On the contrary , the greater number of the Brethren belonging to a Lodge in England are permanent residents , who can not only fill the various junior offices in the Lodge ; but after
tbey have received command , can remain to teach the principles and doctrines they have learned , and ever afterwards to watch over the wellbeing of the Craft in their immediate neighbourhoods . In this way too may we hope to see the Lodge " Fusing Star , " in after years ; the majority of its members being residents , it will remain as a depository for the Masonic lore of AA'estern India ; and by the correctness of its ceremonialancl accuracy of its working , become a means of permanent
, instruction , that has been but too seldom available in this distant land . Our ancient charges having particularly guarded us against admitting any one to a participation of our secrets , who we have not good ground for believing will ultimately reflect honour on the Craft , would of course induce an attentivelistening to all tbe dangers and inconveniences attending the admission of the native of India into our Lodges , that were made by some anxious ancl zealous Brethren ; and every precaution
that foresight and knowledge could take have been adopted to sustain the purity of the sanctuary ; and , consequently , two or three deviations from the usual customs have been adopted , for instance , the declaration commences , "I in the fear and belief of the only one true and living God , oi a state of reward and punishment after life , for deeds done in the flesh , and of the nature and import of a solemn obligation . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
principles upon which our Order is founded ; nor were the Bombay Brethren to be the first exception , and the result was , that many became eager for the privilege of wearing the badge of innocence , and to be received into the fraternity , some of whom were men of well known talent , enterprise , and honour . This feeling being observed and examined , some of the leading Brethren in Bombayafter mature considerationdetermined to gratify
, , their laudable inclinations ; but now appeared the difficulty , for , on more than one occasion , the only lodge in work in Bombay had negatived the admission of any native , even as a joining member ; therefore there could be no hope in that quarter , the opinion of the Lodge having been so decidedly given . But however we may admire the sincerity of its members , we may certainly doubt their judgment in the decision come to ; and hope that , by the future culture of Masonic principle ,
and observation of the fruit produced by " Rising Star , " the opinion acted upon may be proved to be erroneous . The only plan then that coulcl be adopted was to found a new Lodge for the purpose of the admission of native gentlemen , which was accordingly done , in the manner you have described in yonr former number , doubly guarding each of the grand landmarks of our Order ; every responsible office being filled by tried men and truetill others shall
, be found to be worthy . One thing , however , admits of but little doubt , that " Rising Star" will , before many years shall have passed away , have gained such altitude in the heavenly science , that it will shed a brilliancy over the whole of AVestem India , returning in tenfold degree the light it is now borrowing from the European Brotherhood ; for Lodges in India generally have not been able long to sustain a
character they have , for the most part , ephemerally or accidentally acquired ; for in India most men are but mere birds of passage , here to-day , and gone to-morrow ; and although a Lodge may have been ably and zealously presided over for a time , the Master , even before his term has expired , has perhaps heen ordered off to a distant station , where he may jiossibly be the only brother . On the contrary , the greater number of the Brethren belonging to a Lodge in England are permanent residents , who can not only fill the various junior offices in the Lodge ; but after
tbey have received command , can remain to teach the principles and doctrines they have learned , and ever afterwards to watch over the wellbeing of the Craft in their immediate neighbourhoods . In this way too may we hope to see the Lodge " Fusing Star , " in after years ; the majority of its members being residents , it will remain as a depository for the Masonic lore of AA'estern India ; and by the correctness of its ceremonialancl accuracy of its working , become a means of permanent
, instruction , that has been but too seldom available in this distant land . Our ancient charges having particularly guarded us against admitting any one to a participation of our secrets , who we have not good ground for believing will ultimately reflect honour on the Craft , would of course induce an attentivelistening to all tbe dangers and inconveniences attending the admission of the native of India into our Lodges , that were made by some anxious ancl zealous Brethren ; and every precaution
that foresight and knowledge could take have been adopted to sustain the purity of the sanctuary ; and , consequently , two or three deviations from the usual customs have been adopted , for instance , the declaration commences , "I in the fear and belief of the only one true and living God , oi a state of reward and punishment after life , for deeds done in the flesh , and of the nature and import of a solemn obligation . "