Banquet To Bro. Sir Henry Morland, G.M. Of All Scottish Freemasonry In India.

BANQUET TO BRO . SIR HENRY MORLAND , G . M . OF ALL SCOTTISH FREEMASONRY IN INDIA .

On Saturday , the 3 rd ult ., a large number of Freemasons of Romriay , both Europtan and native , met at the Masonic Hall , Byculla . to congratulate Sir Henry Morland , Grand Master of all Scottish Freemasonry in India , on the honour of Knig hthood conferred upon him by the Queen-Empress on the orcasion of the Juliilce celebration . A banquet and

entertainment were provided on the occasion , and c vers were laid for 130 persons . The bungalow and its environs were brilliantly illuminated with gas and buttee lights ; and the grounds were gaily decorated with buntings and bannerets . A large transparency , with the illuminated words " Welcome Sir Henry Morland , " surmounted the main gateway . The ground floor was transformed into a

large recept'on hall decorated in a tasteful manner with flags and buntings and plants . Over the walls were disp layed numerous Masonic designs wrought in evergreens and flowers . In the centre of the banqueting table was placed a beautiful silver tray exhibiting a pile of fruits and flowers so arranged as to display the design "Sir Henry Morland , Kt . " At some distance from this tray was

placed a silver boat , the oarsmen of which were skilfully wurked in fruit and flowers . Over the Grand Master's seat was exhibited the banner of the Grand Lodge covered with a trellis-work of jessamine . The Union Jack and the banners of the different Scottish lodges were also p laced on the walls . The Grand Master , on his arrival , was received with floral offerings at the porch , where the

prir . cipal officers of the Grand Lodge , and the members of the Managing Commiitee ( Bros . D . R . Chichgar , Hodges , Allan Rusfell , and J . Young ) ivere assembled , and was conducted to the upper hall , where he exchanged cordial greetings with those assembled to honour him . The

Committee were unremitting in th-ir attentions , and deserve credit for the admirable arrangements they had made for the entertainment . A European band was in attendance , and played selections of music during the evening . Bro . J . Y . Lang , Deputy Grand Master , presided at the banquet .

After the excellent dinner had been done justice to , The CHAIRMAN , who was rereived with loud cheers , gave the toast of "The Queen-Empress , " which was most loyally and enthusiastically received . The CHAIRMAN again rose amidst loud and prolonged cheers to give the toast of the evening . He said : Brethren —After the very excellent dinner that we have enjoyed , 1

will nut try your patience with any lengthy remarks from myself in proposing the toast of the evening —( loud cheers ) —the more so , because I feel that , like myself , you are all anxious to hear again the eloquence of our Most Woishipful the Grand Master —( loud and prolonged cheers)—which has so often in the past charmed us in this hall . ( Renewed cheers . ) Brethren , when first ihe news reached us of the

honour which has been bestowed by her Majesty the Queen-Empress upon our Grand Master , it was the unanimous wish of your Grand Committee that on his return to Bombay the Freemasons should be invited , at least all those who were serving under his hanner , to join in an entertainment in his honour . The influential and numeious gaihering wh ch I see before me , which comprises brethren from

up-country lodges , who have come down here at a great expense of money and also time to do honour to our Grand Master , must be a signal proof of the esteem and respect in which our Grand Master is held by all of us . ( Loud cheers . ) And it is also a proof that his labours in the cause of Freemasonry are appreciated . Brethren , in this very hall , where the praises of our Grand Master have been

so often sung , it is very hard to say anything new . The beautiful lessons in the First Degree of Freemasonry have taught us three great duties , namely , our duties as Freemasons , our duties as citizens , and our duties as individuals . I can say , brethren , without any fear of contradiction , that I know of no man in Bombay who has so nobly acted up to those duties . ( Loud cheers . } As a

Freemason , brethren , I know our Grand Master has for years past devoted his time , his leisure , aye and his money , to the great cause of Freemasonry —( loud cheers)—how much he has done to strengthen the brotherhood in this country . ( Hear , hear , and renewed cheers . ) Brethren , as a citizen of this great city , we all know that for years he has taken an active part in the management of its affairs

, and now that he has attained to the highest post that the Municipal Corporation of this great city could confer upon him , his efforts are worthily directed towards the bringing together ot all classes of the community . ( Cheers . ) And , lastly , as an individual , there is not a brighter example than our esteemed and respected Grand Master —( cheers)—of the great Masonic ornaments , namel

y , Benevolence and Charity . ( Renewed cheers . ) Brethren , if we go on as at present , we will , before many years have passed , have this hall surrounded on all sides with portraits—some of which now grace the walls of our hall—of 0 Ur Grand Masters and also of other Masons , 7 n . e rendered Sood and distinguished services to the cause of Freemasonry in this presidency . But , , — — - . ~~ ... u-, « ... _ , , 1 , 11 , 10 jjicoiuciiuy . Due , orethren

, I venture to say that in the distant future , when « me shall have passed its verdict , there is no name among " eema . ° ns of Bombay or of Western India that will stand higher than his in whose honour we are assembled nere to-night—Most Worshipful Bro . Sir Henry Morland . oniv P ro , on

morland . ( Loud cheers . ) We all know , brethren , that few ' b , essed by the Almighty with abilities with which but ™ are endowed , and we all know that her accomplishuents are placed willingly at the service of her fellovvinsiir ? - ' ( Hear > hear > and Ioud cheers . ) I know of no « s itutiop m Bombay which in its hour of need has turned to I -J n / i ¦•• ""'"" ay 1 v . 1 n . 11 111 iu nour 01 need nas turned

. o Lady Mori - arid for assistance- ( cheers ) -and has applied Vf Va n . ( Renewed cheers . ) Brethren-I will not detain Grw . " £ . ' but let U 5 > in diking- to the health of our rand Master wish him long life- ( cheers ) -and prosthe L \ enewed cheers ) , our allegiance in the future as in alwavTV r 'j ma , n , n £ ' ° y and enduring , and our efforts % .:. / . . ending towards assisting him in the Hisrhar » « f

„ nanmem Ce ' . ° ud cheers ] Br « hren , before I of ttlecr ' say that ' have received a number of the » J " ? "P V ve of the sympathy and good wishes Which 1 ™ m da"g ]> 'e « -lodges in different parts of India , Was iust hllf J . r your infol'mation . One telegram just handed to me by Bro . Pestonjee N . Wadia from

Banquet To Bro. Sir Henry Morland, G.M. Of All Scottish Freemasonry In India.

Lodge Roval Jubilee , of Sholapore , and it is as follows : — " Lodge Royal Juhilee desires most heartily to j in Bombay brethren in honnuring Sir Henry Morland , Knight , Grand Master . " The next telegram is from the son of an old distinguished Mason , a name dear to all of us , name l y , that of Balfour —( chetrs)—who is following in the footsteps of hislate lamented father , who atone time occupied the proud

position of the Grand Master of all Scottish Freemasonry in India . The telegram sent by Bro . L . C . Balfour from Calcutta is as follows : — " Hearty good wishes ; this evening salute Grand Master . " Another telegram has been rrceived from the Kight Worshipful Master of Lodge St . Paul , from Mhow , stating : — " Please convey to Sir Henry

Morland hearty congratulations of brethren for well-earned distinction conferred . " Besides these telegrams I have received seveial letters of congratulations which 1 will not detain you by reading . Now , brethren , with these observations , I give you the toast of " M . W . Bro . Sir Henry Morland . "

The toast was most enthusiastically received . The Chairman gave three cheers for Sir Henry and three more for Lady Morland , the band playing an appropriate tune . The CHAIRMAN then called upon Bro . J . Young , Grand Secretary to the Grand Lodge of all Scottish Freemasonry in India , to recite an ode , which he had composed in honour of the occasion .

M . W . Bro . Sir HENRY MORLAND rose amidst enthusiastic cheers , and a shower of flowers from a basket which was suspended over him , to respond to the toast . He said : Worshipful Brother Chairman , and Brethren , —I feel that words fail me to express to you my sentiments on this occasion , received as 1 have been by this large assembly with such demonstrations of affection and enthusiasm .

The thrilling words that have fallen from our Chairman and from our Grand Secretary in his ode have deeply touched me . As I have just observed , words fail me to express all that 1 now feel . I feel that this night will be impressed on my memory to my last days . ( Loud cheers . ) Brethren , mv association with Freemasonry having stimulated your affection and feelings to ihe manifestation of so

warm a welcome is an earnest that my labours in connection with our Order have not been in vain . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) I'he grand principles of Freemasonry are well-known to you all , and it is a happy thought to me that during the time it has been my honour to be associated with the Craft , castes and religions have been brought under its sway , lodges having come into existence

composed of native brethren who co-operate in disseminating the principles of our Order throughout this vast Empire . ( Loud cheers . ) Brethren , as you know , I have just re turned from the celebration of her . Majesty ' s Jubilee , which will constitute one of the grandest episodes of modern history . ( Cheers . ) I believe that the functions that have taken place in England are unparalleled in the history of

the world . The special ceremonies have already been described to you in the puhlic press far more eloquently than I could depict them ; but 1 may give you what my impressions were when 1 went home to my motherland and saw the grand impressive ceremonies that then took place . I wish you could have seen London as 1 saw it in preparation f . r the ceremony , with festoons , garlands , trophies ,

and flags suspended in every thoroughfare , the wholeof the VVest End being a scene of magnificent display to welcome theadventol that auspicious Jubilee . ( Loud cheers . ) Coming to the day itself , what could equal ihe magnificent procession , aDrocession br lliant with all the dignity which the presence of Royalty could confer . 1 wibh you could have seen the ancient classical building , Westminster Abbey , fitted as it

was with seats in stages for the gorgeous ceremony . ( Loud cheers . ) It was a happy circumstance that on my arrival in England I found that the wishes of the citizens of this city had been heartily reciprocated by Government . My mission was anticipated . Government had addressed the Secretary of State concerning my mission , and the India Office accorded me a most courteous reception .

( Cheers . ) The officials were ready and willing to give me every assistance . I may say that the highest official of this land , the Viceroy himselt , had telegraphed home with reference to my mission to the Secretary of State —( loud cheers)—which resulted in a marked attention towards me . I will not attempt to describe in detail to you the scene in Westminster Abbey , where my wife and myself were

accommodated wnh seats . I was in a position which commanded a view immediately overlooking the imperial dais . 1 had a close inspection ot the peers of the realm as they took their seats on arrival . In front of me were ranged Royalty and Deputations from all parts of Europe , and I was so close that I had a perfect observation of her Majesty the Queen-Empress . ( Cheers . ) I do not think that

there was one English heart in that vast assembly that did not leap with joy and pride on that occasion , that did not feel joylul allegiance to that Queen whose Jubilee was being celebrated , and to attend which all the nations of Europe had sent representatives to be present on that grand occasion . I know for myself thatthe glow that was in my heart was one which I will never again experience , as I beheld

Majesty enthroned before me—Majesty swaying the destinies of the world . The ceremonies , as I have before observed , in connectioa with her Imperial Majesty ' s Jubilee have been described fully by the public press , and do not call for special details on my part . I will only say that on the ni ght of the celebration of the Jubilee the illuminations were exceedingly grand . They carried me back in memory

to the splendid illuminations of this city , when a similar ceremony was observed . But 1 could not but think that , splendid as the illuminations of London were , the illuminations of this city excelled them in magnificence . ( Loud cheers . ) True , a vaster concourse of people was gathered together in the great Metropolis , but not a more loyal assemblage than that which celebrated the Jubilee in

Bombay . ( Loud cheers . ) It may interest you to know that was present at a ball given by the Lord Mayor at the Guildhall . An enormous crowd met in that magnificent building , comprising the free Guilds of London and the Royal dignitaries who were present on the Jubilee day . I will not attempt to draw a comparison between that great municipal institution the Guildhall and our own petty

municipality . ( Laughter and cheers . ) But in our humble way it cannot be denied that our municipality in Bombay does a certain amount of useful work . Passing on 1 may mention that it was no object of mine to put myself in the way of the great festivities of the occasion . But it is needless to say that circumstances drew me into the vortex of those festivities . A word as to the climate of England as compared with that of Bombay , and in this connection

Banquet To Bro. Sir Henry Morland, G.M. Of All Scottish Freemasonry In India.

I may assert that I infinitely prefer the latter . I was very glad , indeed , to experience the moie congenial temperature which awaited me on my return to Bombay , infinitely more pleasant as it was than that 1 left behind . ( Laughter and cheers . ) I omitted to mention that 1 attended a grand function at Windsor on the 30 th June , though to me that was the most memorable otic in connection with the lubilee

Celebration . It was then that I received tne honour of knighthood at the hands ot her Imperial Majesty . It is difficult to describe the ceremony that took plate on that occasion ; the Princes of India were congregated there , and were welcomed , along witn the representatives from India , as the honoured guests of their Sovereign at Windsor Cattle , that royal palace of honourable and ancient fame in the

history of England . Her Majesty was especially pleased with the address of this city , and with the casket which enclosed it , and which it was my honour to convey to England . ( Cheers . ) 1 feel that in conferring the distinction of knighthood upon me her Majesty did not confer it upon me personally , out that it was a mark of royal lavour towards this second city of her vast empire —( loud cheers )

—for its loyalty , for its progress , for its enlightenment , and for its advanced civilization . ( Renewed cheers . ) I do not for one moment attribute exclusively to myself the honour that has been conferred upon me , but I feel that in accepting the loyal tribute of the citizens of Bombay her Majesty intended to do honour to this city . ( Cueers . ) lheie was one more function that I had the honour to attend ,

which was the Naval Review . I prolonged my stay in England on purpose to attend that grand display , and 1 was honoured with an invitation to a ship which was set apart lor the Indian dignitaries . 1 can only tell you that the heart of every Biiton who witnessed that display must have filled with pride in the consciousness that lingland possessed in her fleet a vast power to defend her

interests , and to assert her supremacy on the seas when occasion might require her to do so . ( Cheers . ) To a sailor like myself it was a gladdening sight to witness the manceuvring 01 the ironclads and the armour ships—a sight which could only be appreciated thoroughly by those possessing a certain knowledge of naval matters . The first congratulations I received at home from India were telegrams and letters

from the Freemasons ot India , and I assure you that their receipt gave me the greatest possible satisfaction . I had hundreds of congiatulatory letters , but none were more welcome than those from the Freemasons and citizens of riombay . ( Cheers . ; I thank you , brethien all , lor your very kind welcome . I feel that it is due to those principles of Freemasonry which rule us , and which guide us in our

action towards each other . I feel that not the least of these is Charity , to look over our mutual shortcomings , according one another the fullest credit tor the good we may be able to effect in the interests o £ Freemasumy . It is now many yeais since 1 first assumed the hirain of the Grand Lodge of ail Scottish Freemasonry in India , and time begins to weigh upon me , and the duties of my office to

prove too much for me . I feel I must now ask you to look for a successor to me . ( Cries of "No , no . " ) I will carry on my duties until the end uf next year , when my term ot office expires , and 1 trust that you will then leluve me of them . ( Cries ot "No , no . ' ) 1 rind that telegrams have reached us fiom all parts of India from those wno sympathise with ihis movement , and 1 am

glad to know that deputations nave also come down horn Alimedabad and Hooulee . 1 thank the lodges who have sent me their congratulations most heartily , and fully appreciate the kindly wishes which they have evinced . If anything were needed to prove tne bond of sympathy which exists between tne Fraternity under my jurisdiction and myself , this large gathering , comprising Mahomedans ,

Parsees , Hindoos , and Eu-opuans , would suffice to do so . It lemains for me to thank the Committee who have organised this entertainment in my honour , Ihe beautitul decorations ot this hall give ample evidence of the pains which they have taken . In particular , I hive to tnank Bro . Darasha Chichgar —( cheers)—who is ever ready and willing to take an active part in matters Masonic , and

whose co-operation is to us indispensable . Bro . Hodges and Bro . Russell also deserve rny grateful acknowledgment , and in this connection 1 must not omit to mention the valuable assistance whicli has been rendered by tne ladies of their household —( cheers)—in decorating the hall . On behalf of Lady Morland 1 thank you most sincerely for having associated in the toast you have received' my own

name wnh tnat of the one wfto is nearest and dearest to me . ( Loud cneeis ) Allusion has be-n made to the active pait she trequentiy takes 111 public movements which have Charity tor their ooject . 1 need not say that she is at all times most happy to devote the talents witn which she has been blessed to laudable objects . In conclusion , I thank you once more lor the high honour you have done me , and

1 can unly reiterate what 1 have already stated , namely , that this evening will never fade from my memory . ( Loud and pio onged cheeis . ) The Chairman here presented to the Grand Master a silk sash , on which was worked , in silver thread in big letters , the words "Sir Henry Morland , Kt ., " in the name of tSro . D . R . Chichgar , Substitute Giand Master of the

Scottish Grand Lodge of India . Ihe Grand Master accepted the present with thanks . Bro . HOKNMUSJEE DADABHOY said that he had been asked to propose the toast ot the visiting brethren . He felt sure it would meet with their cordial acceptance . He was particularly glad to see before him an array of vocalists . They had enlivened the hall with the strains of

music . That was an additional claim upon the sympathetic appreciation of the bretnren . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) He ( the speaker ) had a notion that men gilted with voice had a supreme contempt lor the conventional rules of society . Their careers were eccentiic . ( Laughter and cheers . ) It was their prerogative to disown all human laws . They cared not inucti for the Divine law either .

He was happy to be disillusionized , for he never saw more sober , staid , and businesslike men than the phalanx of the sons of song who graced the banquet table . ( Laughter and cheers . ) In this age of scepticism on the one hand , and cold remorseless materialism on the other , it appeared to nun that song was the most potent thing to keep alive and even to re kindle the higher and the more

spiritual aspirations of the human race . It was no disparagement but a recommendation that music was sensuous in some of its aspects . He warmly welcomed tiro . Geary and Bro . Ferneaux . Bro . Curwcn was unavoidably absent . He asked the brethren to drink to " The Health of the Visitors , " coupling with the toast the name of their esteemed townsman , Bro . Geary . ( Continued on page 538 ) .