Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
Prom the Address by Bro . James Humes . L . L . D ., K . U ., S ; c . Masonic Templary anil the other higli ancl chivalric degrees , as they are culled , are , I need scarcely say , unsiiited for India ; anil although in reality they possess no antiquity , being a cumbrous invention of the last century engrafted on a naturally pure and simple institution , they are already out of date . AVith them , therefore , wc can do nothing , even if we were capable of
attempting to resuscitate , at Bombay , institutions repugnant to the feelings and insulting to the name , of the natives of Asia . I possess legitimately the privilege of communicating many of the high continental Masonic degrees , but I have never exercised it ; and when powers were recently transmitted to me to establish a branch of a chivalric order at this place , my reply was , that I was indisposed generally to encourage grades into which the natives could not be admitted . But from a new and vigorous institution , such as the Brotherhood I have suggested , suited to the times and
circumstances in which u-e live , stupendous results to society might be anticipated ; while , to its members , it might be made to possess those charms so fascinating to many in the high degrees , with the incalculable advantage of being open as a Masonic distinction , though not a new grade , to native gentlemen , thereby putting an . end to the heart-burning ivhich must naturally , and does actually , exist at their exclusion from these degrees . Yet it may be alleged , although our objects are perfectly legitimate , and in strict conformity with ancient and acknowledged landmarksthat seme sovereign authority is
requi-, site , some patent or writ , under which we may establish our new Brotherhood . But , with all due respect to constituted authorities , and especially to the governing bodies of our Craft , which , as honest Masons , we are hound to uphold , I would ask what patent or writ have the Grancl Lodges of England , Scotland , or Ireland , the Grand Orient , and the Supreme
Council of the 33 Degrees in France , and all the other great Masonic association in both hemispheres , but their own authority ? And what patent or writ iutd the Templars of old , the Knights of St . John of Jerusalem , and the other great chivalric Fraternities of the middle ages ? None but the sword ! The Pope gave to one Brotherhood a red , to another a white , and to a third , a black cross ; but one and all established themselves , and maintained themselves , by their own authority , and we have seen the last of them , even in our own days , its glory gone , still styling itself a sovereign and
independent Order . Their bond of union was war and hatred to the nations ofthe East—why then should not we , the children of a happier age , combine to wipe out tiie injustice they committed , by proclaiming light and truth , earryiiig with us the Olive Branch—LET US EF , BROTHERHOOD OF THE OLIVE " BRANCH ¦—throughout the East ! Some may consider these suggestions visionary , but I know that if the standard of such a Brotherhood be raised , hundreds of Masons throughout India and Europe will seek to be enrolled under it , and I do not yet despair of seeing Bombay , as from its position—on the
horizon , as it were between light and darkness , it is well suited to be , the centre of a movement which for purposes of charity and enlightenment , may influence the remotest corners of the earth . Nor , let it even enter the imagination of any one that , in submitting this proposal , I contemplate making innovations on the body of Masonry ? Far from it—the integrity of our time-honoured fabric must remain unscathed , while we add to its attractions hy ornamental outworks in strict keeping with itself , and suited to the days in which we live . I propose no new tokens , no new rites , no new secrets ,
no new tenets , no new purposes . I invite Masons to combine , on their own ancient and established principles , to give a new impulse to their old and acknowledged objects . Surely , but silently must the foundations of such an institution be laid !
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
Prom the Address by Bro . James Humes . L . L . D ., K . U ., S ; c . Masonic Templary anil the other higli ancl chivalric degrees , as they are culled , are , I need scarcely say , unsiiited for India ; anil although in reality they possess no antiquity , being a cumbrous invention of the last century engrafted on a naturally pure and simple institution , they are already out of date . AVith them , therefore , wc can do nothing , even if we were capable of
attempting to resuscitate , at Bombay , institutions repugnant to the feelings and insulting to the name , of the natives of Asia . I possess legitimately the privilege of communicating many of the high continental Masonic degrees , but I have never exercised it ; and when powers were recently transmitted to me to establish a branch of a chivalric order at this place , my reply was , that I was indisposed generally to encourage grades into which the natives could not be admitted . But from a new and vigorous institution , such as the Brotherhood I have suggested , suited to the times and
circumstances in which u-e live , stupendous results to society might be anticipated ; while , to its members , it might be made to possess those charms so fascinating to many in the high degrees , with the incalculable advantage of being open as a Masonic distinction , though not a new grade , to native gentlemen , thereby putting an . end to the heart-burning ivhich must naturally , and does actually , exist at their exclusion from these degrees . Yet it may be alleged , although our objects are perfectly legitimate , and in strict conformity with ancient and acknowledged landmarksthat seme sovereign authority is
requi-, site , some patent or writ , under which we may establish our new Brotherhood . But , with all due respect to constituted authorities , and especially to the governing bodies of our Craft , which , as honest Masons , we are hound to uphold , I would ask what patent or writ have the Grancl Lodges of England , Scotland , or Ireland , the Grand Orient , and the Supreme
Council of the 33 Degrees in France , and all the other great Masonic association in both hemispheres , but their own authority ? And what patent or writ iutd the Templars of old , the Knights of St . John of Jerusalem , and the other great chivalric Fraternities of the middle ages ? None but the sword ! The Pope gave to one Brotherhood a red , to another a white , and to a third , a black cross ; but one and all established themselves , and maintained themselves , by their own authority , and we have seen the last of them , even in our own days , its glory gone , still styling itself a sovereign and
independent Order . Their bond of union was war and hatred to the nations ofthe East—why then should not we , the children of a happier age , combine to wipe out tiie injustice they committed , by proclaiming light and truth , earryiiig with us the Olive Branch—LET US EF , BROTHERHOOD OF THE OLIVE " BRANCH ¦—throughout the East ! Some may consider these suggestions visionary , but I know that if the standard of such a Brotherhood be raised , hundreds of Masons throughout India and Europe will seek to be enrolled under it , and I do not yet despair of seeing Bombay , as from its position—on the
horizon , as it were between light and darkness , it is well suited to be , the centre of a movement which for purposes of charity and enlightenment , may influence the remotest corners of the earth . Nor , let it even enter the imagination of any one that , in submitting this proposal , I contemplate making innovations on the body of Masonry ? Far from it—the integrity of our time-honoured fabric must remain unscathed , while we add to its attractions hy ornamental outworks in strict keeping with itself , and suited to the days in which we live . I propose no new tokens , no new rites , no new secrets ,
no new tenets , no new purposes . I invite Masons to combine , on their own ancient and established principles , to give a new impulse to their old and acknowledged objects . Surely , but silently must the foundations of such an institution be laid !