Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
Constitutions . They who believe in the unity of the G . A . of the Universe , are , without distinction of religion , to be admitted . As to the indiscriminate admission of such , H . R . H . very justly observes , that this is equally objectionable as regards any order or denomination of men . Hereinindeedhas our Head touched on the only evil which cankers
, , our Craft . As respects every denomination , too little care is used in admitting candidates . The undeniable principle of the admissibility of both Mussulmans and Hindoos being established , the main difficulty lies in its specific application . Few Hindoos are Theists or Deists ; they are nearly all Polytheists . On the other hand , there can be no difficulty with Mussulmans . *
On these points , the R . AY . Prov . G . Master made some very forcible observations , as to the caution to be used in admitting natives , whose morals , as they differed most essentially from ours , so were they , from the peculiar habits of the country , less liable to observation , and consequently , less capable of accurate ascertainment than our own , which admit of little concealment . He also adverted to the fact , that truth , above all things , was one of the leading characteristics of our order ;
whereas , the leading characteristic of the native character is a disregard of truth . The P . G . M . declared , that after a residence of twenty-six years in India , and an unlimited intercourse with the people , he had not known more than three natives whose words he could trust . The speech of the P . G . M . was most excellent , and would make a valuable statistical paper : it is to be regretted that it is not published . Ample testimony can be borne to the correctness of all the obseivations , and especially as to the disregard for truth in the natives , by Masons who have been nearly twenty years resident , in a country ranging from Calcutta to Delhi . f
An attempt is being made to erect a Templar Encampment on a principle suggested by some eminent crusaders in the order . Many Brethren are most anxious on the subject , and are naturally uneasy at seeing that their Scottish and Irish Brethren possess , in this respect , advantages which are denied to them ; and that , this denial originates in some scruples , resting in a quarter whence equality would be better expected . The removal of that Pillar of our Craft , which is itself Virtue , AVisdom ,
Strength , and Beauty—Dr . Oliver—has caused here the greatest possible disgust , and especially in the minds of those whose good-feeling and high respect which they bear to our order , are its most valued supports . The more thoughtless speak openly ; but thinking men ponder over things , and wonder what new trial is about to be performed ; and also , do they consider whether a change has not come over the spirit of our system . We have a proverb in the East , that "It is the last straw which breaks the camel ' s back . " May that straw not be super-imposed . Let our venerated Brother , Dr . Oliver , console himself—if consolation be
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
Constitutions . They who believe in the unity of the G . A . of the Universe , are , without distinction of religion , to be admitted . As to the indiscriminate admission of such , H . R . H . very justly observes , that this is equally objectionable as regards any order or denomination of men . Hereinindeedhas our Head touched on the only evil which cankers
, , our Craft . As respects every denomination , too little care is used in admitting candidates . The undeniable principle of the admissibility of both Mussulmans and Hindoos being established , the main difficulty lies in its specific application . Few Hindoos are Theists or Deists ; they are nearly all Polytheists . On the other hand , there can be no difficulty with Mussulmans . *
On these points , the R . AY . Prov . G . Master made some very forcible observations , as to the caution to be used in admitting natives , whose morals , as they differed most essentially from ours , so were they , from the peculiar habits of the country , less liable to observation , and consequently , less capable of accurate ascertainment than our own , which admit of little concealment . He also adverted to the fact , that truth , above all things , was one of the leading characteristics of our order ;
whereas , the leading characteristic of the native character is a disregard of truth . The P . G . M . declared , that after a residence of twenty-six years in India , and an unlimited intercourse with the people , he had not known more than three natives whose words he could trust . The speech of the P . G . M . was most excellent , and would make a valuable statistical paper : it is to be regretted that it is not published . Ample testimony can be borne to the correctness of all the obseivations , and especially as to the disregard for truth in the natives , by Masons who have been nearly twenty years resident , in a country ranging from Calcutta to Delhi . f
An attempt is being made to erect a Templar Encampment on a principle suggested by some eminent crusaders in the order . Many Brethren are most anxious on the subject , and are naturally uneasy at seeing that their Scottish and Irish Brethren possess , in this respect , advantages which are denied to them ; and that , this denial originates in some scruples , resting in a quarter whence equality would be better expected . The removal of that Pillar of our Craft , which is itself Virtue , AVisdom ,
Strength , and Beauty—Dr . Oliver—has caused here the greatest possible disgust , and especially in the minds of those whose good-feeling and high respect which they bear to our order , are its most valued supports . The more thoughtless speak openly ; but thinking men ponder over things , and wonder what new trial is about to be performed ; and also , do they consider whether a change has not come over the spirit of our system . We have a proverb in the East , that "It is the last straw which breaks the camel ' s back . " May that straw not be super-imposed . Let our venerated Brother , Dr . Oliver , console himself—if consolation be