Freemasonry In India.

FREEMASONRY IN INDIA .

CALC UTTA . —Lodge Anchor and Hope ( No . _ 34 , E . C . ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on the 27 th October . Among its members and visitors the following Past Masters were present , viz ., V . W . Bro . W . H . J ones , and W . Bros . A . L . LeFranc , C . T . Davis , W . H . T . Ayres , W . Burroughs , and J . D .

Settna . After the ordinary work being over , W . Bro . N . C . Burral , W . M ., presiding , addressed thc meeting as follows : —Brethren , —I have a most pleasing duty to perform this evening , viz ., to do honour to a brother to whom honour is due , and that brother is no other than Wor . Bro . P . C . Dult , the P . AI . of this lodge . Many of you are perhaps not aware of the untiring zeal and thc

unceasing efforts shewn by our [ brother for nine long years to get admission into Alasonry . He had to appeal to the highest authorities in the British Isles in order to asserts his rights , and at last succeeded . He was initiated in June 1872 . He held the office of Junior Warden during 1873 , and was elected the Master for the year 1874 . He held that office for two long years , and then passed

it over to me as his successor . He was the ist Hindoo Master of a Masonic lodge , and was the tst brother who held office in the District Grand Lodge of Bengal . His services to the Cratt in general and to this lodge in particular were worthy of special recognition . As a Alaster he combined in himself the duties of all the subordinate officers . He further possessed a thorough knowledge of the

Constitutions of Masonry . Were I to dilate upon his varied qualifications I do not know how long it would take me to do so , to do justice to his merits . But I must say that , if any one deserved recognition for his past valuable services in thc cause of Masonry , it is certainly Wor . Bro . P . C . Dutt . The following is a copy of thc presentation address : — "Freemasons' Hall , 55 ,

Bentinckstreet , Calcutta , Friday , 27 th October , 1876 . —To Worshipful Brother Prosonno Coomar Dutt , Past Master of Lodge 'Anchor and Hope , ' No . 234 of England , and Past District Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies of the District Grand Lodge of Bengal . —Worshipful Brother , —We , the undersigned Members of Lodge 'Anchor and Hope' No . 234 , working under the United

Grand Lodge ol England , are desirous of placing on record our hearty and grateful acknowledgments of your untiring zeal and energy for the admission of Hindoos into the mysteries of Freemasonry , and of your eminent services to the lodge as its first Hindoo Alaster during thc past two years , and in remembrance of thc happy relations which prevailed between us during your Mastership .

As a slight token of esteem ami respect for your character and services , wc beg to offer for your acceptance , thc accompanying Past Alaster's jewel , together wilh ( in commemoration of your being the first Hindoo Officer of the District Grand Lodge of Bengal ) a suit of clothing and jewel of your past rank in the Di-lrict Grand Lodge of Bengal , which , wc trust , you may long wear as an

emblem of our affectionate regard and appreciation of your endeavours to promote among us the genuine tenets and principles of Alasonry , Permit us to assure you , that it has been a source of sincere gratification to us to join in awarding this tribute of respect , and with thc fervent wish that every happiness may attend you and yours , and that by the blessing of T . G . A . O . T . U . you may for many

years be privileged to advance thc interests of Alasonry , and enjoy thc respect , admiration , and affection of thc brethren of this lodge . We remain , Worshipful Brother , yours affectionately and fraternally ( Signed ) , N . C . Burn ] , Master ; C . G . Smyth , P . M . ; W . C . Bonncrjec , P . M . ; H . H . Locke , H . P . AI . ; Thomas Jones , I I . P . M . ; D . C . Doss , S . W . ; G . C . Rose , J . W . ; Ramkissen , Treas . ; P . C .

M _ okcr-ec , Sec . ; VV . H . Burns , S . D . ; S . D . Bonncrjce , J . D . ; J . Coello , I . G . j D . Jacob , O . G . " Then addressing Wor . Bro . P . C . Dutt , the VV . M . said -. —Wor . Sir , allow roc to present to you on behalf of Lodge " Anchor and Hope " this P . M . ' s jewel and this suit of clothing of a P . D . G . L . Officer , as a slight token of our high esteem and respect for your services to this lodge , and however

inadequate they may be , I hope you will accept them in thc same spirit in which they arc offered . May you be long spared to govern the lodge and prove a useful member of thc Craft . Thc W . P . M . made thc following reply -. — Worshipful Master , Officers and brethren : I am almost at a loss to express my feelings for the handsome gifts that have been awarded to mc this evening as a token of

affection and esteem from thc members of this lodge . Worshipful Sir , you have over-estimated my humble efforts in the cause of Freemasonry , for what little I have done . I feel that I have been more fortunate than deserving . 1 have already been highly resvarded by my fellows when they elected mc to preside over them as their Alaster , which is thc summit of a Mason ' s laudable ambition .

Apart from this , honours have been showered on mc by the District Grand Lodge and other Masonic bedies that meet within these walls . For these honours I am in a great measure indebted to my brethren , as the position they gave mc as Alaster of this old lodge influenced my advancement in the Order . In thanking you for this pledge of approbation , I cannot but appreciate thc very

high distinction and honour you have shown me , and which 1 shall always remember as a happy episode in my Masonie career . On the back of thc P . M . ' s jewel is the following inscription , elaborately engraved : — " Presented to W . Bro . P . C . Dutt , P . M . ( the first Hindoo Master of a Alasonic Lodge ) , by the brethren of Lodge Anchor and Hope , No . 234 , of England , as a token of their

sincere respect and fraternal regard . Freemasons' Hall , Calcutta , 1876 . " On thc back of the other jewel was the following : — " Presented to VV . Bro . ]> . C . Dult , P . M . ( flm first Hindoo Officer in thc District Grand Lodge of Bengal ) , by the brethren of Lodge Anchor and Hope , No . 234 of England , as a token of their sincere respect and fraternal regard . Freemasons' Hall , Calcutta , 1876 .

Freemasonry In India.

BOMB AY . —Lodge Truth ( No . 944 , E . C . )—The regular meeting of this lodge was held on the 2 nd October , 1876 . Present : Wor . Bro . W . C . Rowe , Wor . Alaster ; A . McKenzie , P . AI . and Treasurer ; Bros . C . Tudball , S . W . ; Watson , as J . W . ; P . Belleli , Director of Ceremonies ; J . L . Aladden , S . D . ; J . O . Weekes , as J . D . ; Wor . Bro . H . W . Barrow , Secretary ; Bros . Sowden , as I . G . ; J . W .

Seager , Tyler ; Bros . Branson , Simkins , and Meiffre . —Visitors Wor . Bro . T . Counsell , Bros . R . P . Brunton , Watson , S . Franks , J . W . Shields , and W . H . Rowland . The lodge was opened with prayer . Ordered , that the letter brought before thc last meeting , regarding the celebration of St . Andrew ' s-day by the Scotch brethren , be re-circulated . The ballot was taken for Mr . H . E . AI . James , Bombay Civil

Service , and Air . Benjamin Dunkerley , Anglo-Indian Spinning and Weaving Company , and was declared clear . Thc ballot was also taken for Wor . Bro . John Dixon , P . M ., as a rejoining member , and declared clear , an announcement which was received with applause . The Treasurer reported that thc balance in hand was Rs . 6 3-3-3 , and that there were 110 debts owing by the lodge . The Wor .

Alaster said : Brethren , when we consider there was debt owing by the lodge at the beginning of thc year to the amount of Rs . S 75 , I certainly think we may congratulate ourselves on the position which we arc now in . Thc debts wc owed at the time the lodge was handed over to my care caused us much anxiety , and I must thank our Wor . Bro . Treasurer for the great energy he has displayed . It

is owing to him that the funds are now in this satisfactory condition . ( Applause ) . Air . Dunkerley being in attendance was duly prepared and initiated . Bro . Meiffre was raised to the Third Degree by the Wor . Master , in the most effective and manner . The working tools were explained by Bro . Tudball , who also delivered the lecture . There being no further business , the Lodge was c ' osed .

FEROZEPORE . —Lodge Northern Star ( No . 1463 , E . C . )—The regular meeting of this lodge was held on the 7 th September , 1876 . Present : Wor . Bro . Col . R . Crutchley , W . AI . ; Bros . Dr . H . Williams , S . W . ; J , H . Smith , J . W . ; T . Johnston , S . D . ; S . Wright , J . D . ; J . Carson , I . G . ; Dinshaw Hecrjec , Sec . and Treas . ; T . Mace , Tyler ; and several other members . Thc lodge

was opened with prayer . The balloting was taken for Bro . Major 11 . Russell , R . A ., of Lodge Khybcr , which was clear and favourable . The ballot was also taken for thc initiation of Staff Sergeant Robert Alininon , 34111 Regiment , which being favourable , he was duly initiated into thc ancient mysteries of Freer . asonry . POONA . —Lodge St . Andrew in the East

( No . 343 , S . C . )—A regular meeting of this lodge took place on fith July , 1876 , when there were present : VV . Brn . C . VV . Wise , P . M ., in the chair ; VV . Bro . J . Gardj . ner , S . AI . and Treas . ; Bros . G . Engel , S . VV . ; 11 . C . Macnce , J . W . ; J . E . Wise , as Sec . ; B . Gordon , S . D . ; J . AlcCartcr , J . D . ; AI . Kleinstuber , as Organist ; A . J . Murray , I . G . ; J . Ellis , Tyler ; Bros . Oldbury , Pallonjec

Nusscervan-ec , Gay , Hill , Dorman , Lawson , Newland , and Tapl ' m . Visitors : Bros . Beynon and Riding , 415 ( E , C . ) ; Rennard , Williams , and Coffey , 451 ( E . C . ) The ballot was taken for Bro . E . Bcyon , Nos . 1100 and 415 ( E . C ) , and Bro . T . Fox , 350 ( S . C ) , which proved clear . The ballot for thc initiation of Sergeant Richardson proved clear . Bro . W . G . Taplin was passed by the acting

W . M ., Sergeant Richardson , who was in attendance and properly prepared , was duly initiated into the ancient mysteries by Wor , Bro . Wise . Air . R . Alexander , who had previously been balloted for in Lodge Perseverance , was next initiated by the acting W . AI . on behalf of that lodge . Three brethren were proposed as joining members . One resignation read and accepted . Rs . 10 per mensem

for 6 months were voted to thc widow of the late Bro . S . . Thc lodge was then closed in peace , love , and harmony after a good night ' s work , and the brethren retired to well-earned refreshment . At a regular meeting held on the 3 rd August , 187 ( 1 , the following brethren were present : R . W . Bros . Colonel W . VV . Taylor , W . M . ; C . D . Wise , P . M . ; Levingston ,

D . AL , as S . VV . ; Gardiner , S . AI . and Treas . ; Bros . Alacnce , J . W . ; J . E . Wise , as Sec ; Lawson , as S . D . ; Ale-Carter , J . D . ; Kleinstuber , Org . ; Alurray , I . G . ; Ellis , Tyler ; Oldbury , Taplin , P . Nusseerwanjee , Gay , T . Fox , Hill , Cuppage , Dorman , Rice , and Richardson . Visitors Bros . Hiding , 415 ( E . G . ) , Coffey , Williams , and Alexander , 351 ( S . C ) , and j . Tinslcy , 1122 ( E . C . ) The lodge having

been duly opened , and the usual formalities gone through , the ballot was taken for Bros . Alexander and Coffey as joining members and proved clear . Bro . Captain Suarry ' s application to join the lodge was withdrawn , in consequence of his regiment being under orders to leave Poona . The lodge was then opened in thc Second and afterwards the Third Degree , and Bro . D . G . Taplin was admitted

and raised by Wor . Bro . Taylor . The lodge having been lowered to the Second Degree , Bros . Richardson , Alexander , and Coffey were admitted separately and passed by Wor . Bro . Taylor . Thc lodge was lowered to thc E . A . Degree , and business being ended it was closed in peace , love , and harmony . A regular meeting was held on thc 7 th September . The

brethren p-esent were Bros . C . D . Wise , P . M ., acting VV . M . ; Levingston , D . AI . ; Gardiner , S . AI ., as S . VV . ; Alacnee , J . W . ; Perks , Sec ; Lawson , as S . D . ; AlcCarttr , J . D . ; Alurray , I . G . ; Ellis , Tyler ; Bros . Beynon , Gay , Oldbury , Hill , Alexander , and Richardson . Thc lolge was opened and the summons for this meeting and minutes of last lodge having been read , and the latter confirmed , the

acting W . M . read the decision of G . L . ou the case of Bro . , formerly of this lodge . G . L . confirmed thc sentence of expulsion passed by 343 , but in consideration of extenuating circumstances , commuted the sentence of suspension for two years from 1 st June , 18 7 6 . The lodge having been raised to the Third Degree , Bros . Alexander and Richardson were admitted separately , and raised to the High and Sublime Degree of M . M . by Past Master

Freemasonry In India.

Wise . The lodge was resumed in thc First Degree , and Bros . Gay and Hill were presented with G L . diplomas , received from Lodge Victoria , Belgaum . The acting W . M . feelingly alluded to the death of Bro . J . E . Wise , which had taken place since tbe last meeting , and on his motion , seconded by Bro . Macnee , the lodge recorded its regret at the loss it had sustained by the death of so promising a

young Mason , who had been " called away from labour " at the early age of 26 . Two candidates for initiation were proposed . An application from the widow of Bro . W . was considered , and 10 Rs . a month for six months voted from the Benevolent Fund . A notice of motion to alter the bye-laws was made , and this ended the business . The lodge was then closed in peace , love , and harmony .

A regular meeting of the lodge was held on the 5 th October , 1876 , W . Past Alaster C . D . Wise in the chair , assisted by Bros . B . Gordon , S . D ., as S . W . ; Macnee , J . W . ; Perks , Sec . ; Cuppage , as S . D . ; Beynon , as J . D . ; Kleinstuber , Org . ; Alurray , I . G . ; Ellis , Tyler ; Bros . Richardson , Fox , Rice , and Taplin . Visitors : Bros . A . Jeph , 330 ; W . Whittenbury , 343 ; Bell and Maguire ,

1043 . The lodge was opened ; the summons and the minutes of last lodge were read and latter confirmed . Thc ballot for Alessrs . R . C . Farrel , first-class schoolmaster , and G . W . Saunders , Ordnance Department , having proved clear , and the candidates being in attendance , they were separately initiated into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry by VV . Bro . Wise . Two members who were about

to leave the station tendered their resignations . An application on behalf of the late Bro . N . was referred to the Standing Committee . An alteration in the bye-laws ended thc business of the evening , and the lodge was closed . NUSSEERABAD . —Lodge Kindred Hope ( S . C . ) — Thc fiist regular meeting of the brethren

of this lodge was held at Nusseerabad , on Wednesday , September 20 th , 18 7 6 . There were present Bros . Wright , Fearn , Murphy , Boreham , Pereira , Jenkinson , Fenner and Rcirson . The lodge was opened under a working dispensation received from the Grand Master of all India , Scottish Constitution , dated 24 th J uly , 1876 . The presiding Bro . J . Wright , having been inducted into

the chair , assumed the Hiram in accordance with thc dispensation , and proceeded to invest the office-bearers of thc lodge as follows : —W . Fearn , S . VV . ; M . Murphy , J . W . j R . Boreham , S . D . ; E . Pereira , J . D . ; J . A . jenkinson , I . G . ; J . Fenner , Tyler . One candidate was proposed for initiation at thc next regular meeting . There being no further business before the lodge , it was closed in peace

and harmony . A regular meeting of this lodge was held on the 14 th October , 1876 . Present : R . VV . Bro . J . Wright , Wor . Alaster ; Bros . W . Fearn , S . W . ; M . Alurphy , J . W . ; B . Skelton , S . D . ; D . P . Reirson , J . D . ; W . Fenner , Tyler . Thc lodge was opened with prayer . Air . Pestonjec Furdonjcc , proposed at the former meeting fcr initiation , was duly balloted for ; the ballot proving clear

he was initiated . One candidate was proposed for initiation . Bro . Pestonjee Furdonjcc was proposed to be passed to the Second Degree . Proposed and seconded that the subject relating to the compilation of new bye-laws be considered at thc next regular meeting . There being no other business before thc lodge , it was closed in peace and harmony . An emergent meeting of this lodge was held

on 28 th October . Present : R . W . Bro . J . Wright , Wor-Afaster ; Bros . VV . Fearn , S . W . ; M . Alurphy , J . W . j B . Skelton , S . D . ; D . P . Reirson , J . D . ; Al . Sullivan , I . G . ; J . Penncr , Tyler ; J . A . Jenkinson , and Pestonjee Furdonjcc . —Visitors : Right Wor . Bro , Colonel C . AI . Mercer , Past District Grand Alaster , Punjib , and Bro . G . C . Gil-Uspie . Thc lodge was opened with prayer . Right Wor .

Bro . Wright being unable to remain , Right W . Bro . Col . Alerccr kindly took the Worshipful Alaster ' s chair on being requested to do so . Air . Edward Rozario , proposed at the former meeting for initiation , was duly balloted for ; the ballot proving clear , he was initiated . Three candidates were proposed for initiation . Bro . Edward Rozario was proposed to be passed to thc Second Degree at the next

regular meeting . There being no other business before thc lodge , it was closed in peace and harmony . POONA . —Chapter St . Andrew ( No . 68 , S . C . ) —A regular meeting of this chapter was held on Saturday , 23 rd September , i 8 ; fi , when the following were present : Comps . R . Levingslon , AI . E . Z . ; A . AI . Lawson , H . ; II . C . Alacnee , J . ; C . D . Wise , P . P . Z ., as S . E . ; J . M .

O'Brien , P . P . Z ., as S . N . ; E . Beynon , as 1 st Soj . ; McCartcr , Treas ., as 2 nd Soj , ; Gay , as 3 rd Soj . ; Ellis , Janitor . Visitor : Comp . VV . Taylor , Caledonia . The chapter was opened in form , the summons and minutes of two previous meetings read and the latter confirmed . The ballot for thc exaltation of Bro , VV . G . Taplin , Lodge 343 , having proved clear , the chapter was called off . Thc chapter

being resumed , Bro . Taplin , who had been admitted to the Mark and the Excellent Master ' s Degrees , was admitted and exalted to the Holy Royal Arch Degree in due form , after which some discussion took place as to alteringthe byc-Uw- to accord wilh thc enactment of S . G . Chapter dated 22 nd Alarch , 1875 , regarding rejoining mem bers . This being the day fixed for the annual election *

office-bearers , the following were duly elected to the offic specified : Comps . Lawson , Z . ; Alacnee , H . ; Beynoi * . J . ; Wise , P .. ; AlcCartcr , N . and Treas . ; O'Brien , ist S . ; Gay , 2 nd S . ; Taplin , 3 rd S . ; and Ellis , Janitor . A Board of Installed Principals , consisting of Comps . Wise , Levingston , and O'Brien , was then formed , and Comps . Lawson , Alacnee , and Beynon duly installed into their

respective chairs , after which the other companions were admitted and saluted the new Principals ; the remaining office-bearers were then invested . A vote of thanks was passed to M . E . Comp . Lawson for the present of a nice drawing of thc jewel ( executed by himself ) to illustrate the lecture . This concluded the business , and the chapter was closed , the companions retiring to refreshment . — Masonic Re'ord nf Ifestern India .