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Article DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF BENGAL. ← Page 2 of 2 Article DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF BENGAL. Page 2 of 2 Article DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF BENGAL. Page 2 of 2 Article THE POSITION OF MASONRY IN THE YEAR 1875, AND ITS NOBLE CHARITIES. Page 1 of 2 →
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District Grand Lodge Of Bengal.
Brethren , think well of this suggestion , and if thc thought will give to it is masculine , and the expression masterly " nd 0 f the true stamp , your answer will unanimously be , « Let it be done , if it can be done . " Phrases engrave themclves on memory . It can be done , I think , and the ways ffor there is more than one way ) of doing it are thc fol-, st . If the brethren in Bengal , numbering little short of
> -oo ( no' counting the many scores , I fear I may even say hundreds , who , representing the " ungarnered increment , " do not subscribe to any lodge ) can raise by debentures a sum of Rs- 7 ° i 000 or So . ooo , i . e ., a little over Rs . 100 each , not as a gift , be it understood , but as a loan—a loan t 00 at handsome interest , say 6 or 7 per cent . 2 nd . It can be done , if not in the best way as first
proposed , by getting ( and he can be got ) a capitalist to build for us a Hall at such a cost as we may determine , we paying on the capital expended a given rate of interest , on the understanding that we can , by any instalment wc think fit , pay off the debt , the interest payable being , ol course , on the balance due . You know , brethren , how I have fought for thc secure
investment of thc surplus of our several Charity Funds , and though I objected to the loan of these moneys to District Grand Lodge without security , I should favour a loan secured by a mortgage on thc proposed Masonic Hall , and receiving good interest . There are some brethren who think that thc rents collected by District Grand Lodge from the Craft will not suffice to pay thc interest ;
but it should be remembered that wc need not at first have a building of greater extent than will just answer our requirements , adding to it from time to time as money comes in ; and money will conic in , brethren , as surely as it is coming in for the Bengal Masonic Association , and , may be , by bequests , perhaps not very large , but likely enough to be many .
But of this I am assured , that the time for beginning is now—that wc may be ready for the laying of the foundation stone by the M . W . G . M ., if he will graciously be pleased to perform that duty . To-day we must do something , and that is to appoint a
committee , to report by thc 31 st July to the Dist . Grand Secretary , so that the District Grand Master may decide whether it would be well to summon an emergent meeting of Dist . Grand Lodge , to consider or to act upon the report . I will ask some brother to propose at a later part of this evening the names of the brethren who should constitute
this committee . I referred parenthetically to thc " ungarnered increment " in Masonry . To those brothers who have made a break in their Masonic career I would put a question , and follow it up by exhortation for the future , " to keep the covenant , as the stars keep their courses , Demitted brothers—Is is not now thc time for you to
rekindle " the light that none but Craftsmen ever saw ?" and with lamp full of the oil of gladness appear in close allegiance to , anil alliance with , the M . W . G . Master , who so lately declared lhat to be a Freemason was to be a loyal and peaceable subject , anil a charitable man . Numbers unprecedented have entered our Order , numbers more arc at our portals seeking admission . What
will the Masonic world think of mc for my seeming impertinence when I say , " Reflect on what you are doing "•" Brothers—quit now and for ever the cave of Adullam . You have rested on your oars more than long enough , take ( not a spurt ) but a steady pull in the Ancient Craft , and be no longer content with half lights . To return to the subject of our preparations fcr our
Grand Master's visit ; it has occuretl to mc that Freemasons' Hall , or a portion of it may be used as a club for the convenience of the brethren who may come to Calcutta for tbe purpose of being present at the Masonic reception of the Prince of Wales . Possibly wc might also be able to make arrangements to secure a suitable house , or houses , for dormitories ; a troublesome business no doubt—but it
may be done if we are very much in earnest ( anil I think we are ) and if we take the field early . However , as I said when beginning , it is not my intention to go into details now . These must be dealt with hereafter , though soon , and by the committee which we shall I trust , sec appointed this evening . I regret to have to report to you thc exclusion from their
lodges for non-payment of dues , of two brethren , namely , Bro . Peter Peterson , from Lodge True Brothers , Dinapore , ajid Bro . Archibald Paxton from Lodge Temperance and Benevolence , Calcutta . A report of proceedings at a meeting of the Committee of General Purposes , held on the 31 st June , having been Printed and circulated , was , on motion made by W . Bro .
W . B . Mactavish , D . S . G . W ., and P . M . of Lodge 109 , seconded b y W . Bro . Bonnerjce , D . G . Registrar , and W . M . of Lodge 67 , taken as read , and W . Bro . A . LeFranc , D . J . G . Deacon , and W . M . of Lodge 229 , moved that it be adopted and recorded . Seconded b y W . Bro . Fitze , acting D . G . Treas ., and P . M . of Lodge 218 , and carried . A report of proceedings of the Committee of General
Purposes , at a meeting held on thc 7 th June , having been printed and circulated , W . Uro . Beer , W . M . 218 , and Past D . G . Organist , moved that it be taken as read . Seconded by W . Bro . Girling , W . M . of Lodge 232 , and Past D . G . Dir . of Cer ., and carried . W . Bro . Bonnerjce , D . G . Registrar , and W . M . of Lodge » 7 > moved that the accounts as exhibited in the abstracts
contained in saitl report be accepted as correct and passed . W . Bro . Turner , Past D . G . Sword Bearer , and P . M . of Lod ge 1374 , seconded the motion , which was carried . W . Bro . Zemin , Past D . G . Registrar , and P . M . of Lodge 229 , moved that the recommendation made by the Committee
of General Purposes in the third paragraph of their TLV ° ~ ° " - 71 h J une be adopted . Seconded by W . Bro . w . Girling , Past D . G . Dir . of Cer ., and W . M . of Lodge - \ "l * i and carried . w > Bro . LeFranc , D . J . G . D ., and W . M . of Lodge 229 ,
District Grand Lodge Of Bengal.
moved that the report of the Grand Committee of the Fund of Benevolence ( from thc 18 th March to 14 th June , 1 S 75 I , having been printed and circulated , be taken as read . Seconded by W . Bro . Fitze , acting D . G . Treas ., and P . M . of Lodge 218 , and carried . W . Bro . Blackburn , Past D . G . Superintendent of Works , and P . M . of Lotlge 218 , moved that the report referred to
in thc foregoing resolution be adopted and recorded . Seconded by W . Bro . Dutt , D . G . Assist . Dir . of Ceremonies , anti W . M . of Lodge 234 , and carrietl . The District Grand Master in thc chair said , wilh reference to thc next business upon the agenda paper , viz , " to elect a brother to act as Treasurer during thc absence of W . Bro . W . I-I . Jones , or until thc period for thc next an
nual election , " that , as many of them knew , the D . G . Treasurer ( W . Bro . W . H . Jones ) had a short time since left Calcutta for England , and it had accordingly become necessary that he ( the District Grand Master in the chair ) should , until the next meeting of District Grand Lodge , appoint a brother to act as Treasurer . He had appointed W . Bro . Fitze , having the fullest
confidence in that brother ' s special qualifications for the office , as well as in his general worth as a man and as a Mason —a confidence which was the fruit of many years of close acquaintance . W . Bro . Fitze had taken over charge of the books and moneys from W . Bro . Jones on the 1 st May , and since that date had acted as District Grand Treasurer . His appointment however was valid only for
the purpose of carrying on the current work until a meeting of District Grand Lodge should take place ; and it would now be for District Grand Lodge either to confirm W . Bro . Fitze in the appointment of Treasurer , or elect some other brother thereto . W . Prosunno Cooniar Dutt , D . Assist . G . Dir . of Ceremonies , and W . M . of Lodge 234 , moved that W . Bro .
William Henry Fitze , Past Dist . Grand Deacon , and P . M . of Lodge 218 , be clectetl to fill the office of District Grand Treasurer during the absence of W . Bro . William Henry Jones , or until the period for the next annual election . Seconded by VV . Bro . James Blackburn , Past D . G . Supdt . of Works , and P . M . of Lodge 218 . The District Grand Master in the chair enquired if any
member of District Grand Lodge had any other nomination to make . None being proposed , W . Bro . Dutt's motion was put , and was declared to be carried unanimously . Thc acting District Grand Secretary having announced that thc next business standing on the agenda paper was a notice of motion by W . Bro . Major Young , on the
subject of the transmission of a memorial from this District Grantl Lodge to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , our M . W . G . M ., praying him to appoint our W . Bro . Roberts to be his District Grand Master for Bengal The District Grand Master in the chair expressed his desire to retire while this portion of the business of the evening was under consideration , and called upon W .
l ) ro . Frederick Jennings , Past Deputy District Grand Master , to take the chair . VV . Bro . Roberts then handed the Hiram of District Grand Lodge to VV . Bro . Jennings , and left the lodgeroom , duly attentlcd to the ante-room by the Dist . Grand Deacons and Dist . Grand Stewartls , under the orders of the District Grand Director of Ceremonies .
Pursuant to notice duly entered on the agenda paper , W . Bro . Major Thomas Newton Young , W . M . of Lodge Sandeman , No . 1374 , P . M . of Lodges 552 , 83 6 , 988 , and 106 5 , and Past D . G . Superintendent of Works of thc District Grand Lodge of the Punjab , then moved that the following memorial be sent from this District Grand Lodge to the Most Worshipful the Grand Master : —
" The Most High , Puissant and Most Illustrious Fringe Albert Edward , Prince of Wales , Duke of Saxony , Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay , Earl of Chester , Carrick , and Dublin , Baron of Renfrew , and Lord of the Isles , Great Steward of Scotland , Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter , Knight of the Most Ancient and Noble Order of the Thistle , Knight Grand Cross of the
Most Honourable Order of the Bath , Knight of the most Illustrious Order of St . Patrick , and Knight Grand Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India , & c , & c , & c , Grand Master of thi United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England : "The humble memorial of the District Grand Lodge of Bengal , and of twenty of thc daughter lodges thereof
working under the United Grand Lodge of England : Sheweth—that upwards of two years have now elapsed since the departure , from this country , of District Grand Master Hugh David Sandeman . That during this time the province has successfully been under the rule of , and District Grand Lodge has been presided over by , Past Deputy District Grand Masters Kennedy , Locke , and
Roberts ; thc last appointed Deputy ( W . Bro . Murray ) having left India even before District Grand Master Sandeman himself did . That your memorialists have no desire to complain of , or feel the smallest dissatisfaction at , the manner in which the important responsibilities connected with the care and charge of the province have been discharged by the aforesaid Past Deputy District Grand
Masters ; on the contrary , your memorialists are anxious to declare , and would hereby record , their full sense of the services rendered to Freemasonry in Bengal by thc Worshipful Brethren above-named , whereby the Craft is at thc present moment in a condition certainly not less prosperous than it was at the time of , and previous to , the departure ol the District Grand Master . That your
memorialists however arc of opinion that any further delay in the appointment of a regular and resident successor to R . W . Bro . H . D . Sandeman , as District Grand Master for Bengal , cannot but be exceedingly prejudicial to the best interests of Freemasonry in this large and ancient province . That the aforesaid District Grand Master Sandeman did announce to the province , in District Grand Lodge assembled , on the 27 th day of December , 1872 , that he had tendered to
District Grand Lodge Of Bengal.
thc M . W . thc G . M . j the resignation of bis high officeand your memorialists have since learnt , from thc said District Grand Master Sandeman himself , that it is not bis intention to return to India . Wherefore your memorialists , having the prosperity of the Craft at heart , do now humbly pray that it may please your Royal Highness to appoint . a trusty and expert brother , of fit station and of
due worth and knowledge , to be your Royal Highness ' s District Grand Master in , and for , Bengal . , " And this Memorial further sheweth—that having ascertained what tbe wishes of the lodges in the province arc , with respect to this appointment , your memorialists humbly venture to approach your Royal Highness with the following recommendation :
" That your Royal Highness will be graciously pleased to appoint to the office of District Grand Master for Bengal ofthe under-mentioned VV . brother , to wit : —John Blessington Roberts , of Calcutta , Esquire , Superintendent of Her Majesty ' s Indian Stationery and Stamp Office , Justice of the Peace , & c , & c , etc . ; a Master Mason of nearly thirty years' standing , a Past Master in the Craft , who has held
almost every office in this District Grand Lodge up to that of Deputy Grand Master , which he filled nearly ten years ago , and who is an able , worthy , and high-minded brother , in whom your memorialists can confidently pray your Royal Highness to repose full trust . " That your memorialists arc in no wise forgetful that the appointment of District Grand Master is wholly and
entirely a prerogative of your Royal Highness s exalted oflice as Grand Master of thc Order , and that your memorialists have , as of use , wont , or right , no voice , vote , or choice whatever , but your memorialists venture to 'believe that , having regard to the great distance which separates this province from your Royal 1 Ugliness , you will be graciously pleased to permit anil suffer your memorialists to
offer this humble declaration of their opinions and desires , and to accord to the same jour Royal Highness ' s gracious and valuable consideration . " And your memorialists . is in duty bound will ever pray . " In moving his resolution , W . Bro . Major Young said he felt that he need have no hesitation in urging its adoption .
The name of W . Bro . Roberts was so well known , his Masonic reputation hail extended so far and witlc , the unanimity shown by the lodges in favour of his appointment as head of thc province had been so marked , that it needed no words from him to recommend the resolution which he had the honour to move . Thc unanimity regarding it which
he had referred to was in itself a convincing proof , if any were needed , of thc high consideration and esteem with which W . Bro . Roberts was universally regarded by tbe Craft in Bengal . W . Bro . Bonnerjce , barrister at-law , D . G . Registrar , anil W . M . of Lodge 67 , saitl he concurred in every word W . Bro . Young had uttered , and most heartily seconded his
motion . The District Grand Master in the chair , in putting the motion , said it must be generally felt that thc step proposed to be taken was one of the highest importance to Freemasonry in this province . It surely could not be beneficial to the interests of the Craft that the province should be left virtually without a responsible ruler for an indefinite time , and
he was glad that District Grand Lodge hatl decided to recommend to the M . W . thc Grand Master , for appointment to thc high oflice of District Grand Master , a Mason so able , and so experienced , as W . Bro . Roberts . The motion was then put and carried unanimously . The District Grand Master in the chair then desired the D . G . Dir . of Cer . to proceed with the Dist . Grand Deacons
and Dist . Grand Stewards to thc ante-room , and to beg Wor . Bro . Roberts to return to District Grand Lodge . W . Bro . Roberts having re-entered , and re-assumed the Hiram , W . Bro . Jennings reported the resolution which had beer , passed in his absence . W . Bro . Roberts thanked the brethren for the mark of their confidence , and said , that whatever might be the result
of the resolution which they had just recorded , his best services would always be at the disposal of the Freemasons in Bengal . The Acting District Grand Secretary reported the receipt of apologies from the several brethren for unavoidable nonattendance that evening . The Acting District Grand Secretary moved , that the
Committee for considering , and reporting upon , thc means by which a Freemasons' Hall may be erected in Calcutta , and for ~ managing all arrangements in connection with any Masonic ceremonial that may take place on the occasion of the Prince of Wales ' s visit , be constituted as follows , namely , thc present Committee of General Purposes , with the addition thereto , by the Acting District Grand Master , of such brethren as he may think likely to be able
to assist 111 the work . Thc Committee to report on the subject of thc Freemasons' Hall by the ~ ist July . Seconded by W . Bro . J . L . Taylor , Past D . S . G . W ., anti P . M . of Lodges 392 and 1374 , and carried . There being no further business to be brought forward , the usual collection was made for the Fund of Benevolence ; the amount was announced to be lis . S 7-12 . District Grand Lodge was then closetl in form .
The Position Of Masonry In The Year 1875, And Its Noble Charities.
THE POSITION OF MASONRY IN THE YEAR 1875 , AND ITS NOBLE CHARITIES .
This year has no doubt been a year " par excellence " for Masonry , as far as Great Britain is concerned : we have seen our future King devoting himself to our interests , coming amongst us at a critical moment to work with us ,
and assist us in building up tlie great Masonic edifice of Faith , Hope , and Charity . Yes , my brethren , a new stone has been laid , on which , I trust , a superstructure will rise worthy of its builder . The stone has been laid and the key-note struck , and already nunibcrs ][ are flocking to our gates , seeking admission to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
District Grand Lodge Of Bengal.
Brethren , think well of this suggestion , and if thc thought will give to it is masculine , and the expression masterly " nd 0 f the true stamp , your answer will unanimously be , « Let it be done , if it can be done . " Phrases engrave themclves on memory . It can be done , I think , and the ways ffor there is more than one way ) of doing it are thc fol-, st . If the brethren in Bengal , numbering little short of
> -oo ( no' counting the many scores , I fear I may even say hundreds , who , representing the " ungarnered increment , " do not subscribe to any lodge ) can raise by debentures a sum of Rs- 7 ° i 000 or So . ooo , i . e ., a little over Rs . 100 each , not as a gift , be it understood , but as a loan—a loan t 00 at handsome interest , say 6 or 7 per cent . 2 nd . It can be done , if not in the best way as first
proposed , by getting ( and he can be got ) a capitalist to build for us a Hall at such a cost as we may determine , we paying on the capital expended a given rate of interest , on the understanding that we can , by any instalment wc think fit , pay off the debt , the interest payable being , ol course , on the balance due . You know , brethren , how I have fought for thc secure
investment of thc surplus of our several Charity Funds , and though I objected to the loan of these moneys to District Grand Lodge without security , I should favour a loan secured by a mortgage on thc proposed Masonic Hall , and receiving good interest . There are some brethren who think that thc rents collected by District Grand Lodge from the Craft will not suffice to pay thc interest ;
but it should be remembered that wc need not at first have a building of greater extent than will just answer our requirements , adding to it from time to time as money comes in ; and money will conic in , brethren , as surely as it is coming in for the Bengal Masonic Association , and , may be , by bequests , perhaps not very large , but likely enough to be many .
But of this I am assured , that the time for beginning is now—that wc may be ready for the laying of the foundation stone by the M . W . G . M ., if he will graciously be pleased to perform that duty . To-day we must do something , and that is to appoint a
committee , to report by thc 31 st July to the Dist . Grand Secretary , so that the District Grand Master may decide whether it would be well to summon an emergent meeting of Dist . Grand Lodge , to consider or to act upon the report . I will ask some brother to propose at a later part of this evening the names of the brethren who should constitute
this committee . I referred parenthetically to thc " ungarnered increment " in Masonry . To those brothers who have made a break in their Masonic career I would put a question , and follow it up by exhortation for the future , " to keep the covenant , as the stars keep their courses , Demitted brothers—Is is not now thc time for you to
rekindle " the light that none but Craftsmen ever saw ?" and with lamp full of the oil of gladness appear in close allegiance to , anil alliance with , the M . W . G . Master , who so lately declared lhat to be a Freemason was to be a loyal and peaceable subject , anil a charitable man . Numbers unprecedented have entered our Order , numbers more arc at our portals seeking admission . What
will the Masonic world think of mc for my seeming impertinence when I say , " Reflect on what you are doing "•" Brothers—quit now and for ever the cave of Adullam . You have rested on your oars more than long enough , take ( not a spurt ) but a steady pull in the Ancient Craft , and be no longer content with half lights . To return to the subject of our preparations fcr our
Grand Master's visit ; it has occuretl to mc that Freemasons' Hall , or a portion of it may be used as a club for the convenience of the brethren who may come to Calcutta for tbe purpose of being present at the Masonic reception of the Prince of Wales . Possibly wc might also be able to make arrangements to secure a suitable house , or houses , for dormitories ; a troublesome business no doubt—but it
may be done if we are very much in earnest ( anil I think we are ) and if we take the field early . However , as I said when beginning , it is not my intention to go into details now . These must be dealt with hereafter , though soon , and by the committee which we shall I trust , sec appointed this evening . I regret to have to report to you thc exclusion from their
lodges for non-payment of dues , of two brethren , namely , Bro . Peter Peterson , from Lodge True Brothers , Dinapore , ajid Bro . Archibald Paxton from Lodge Temperance and Benevolence , Calcutta . A report of proceedings at a meeting of the Committee of General Purposes , held on the 31 st June , having been Printed and circulated , was , on motion made by W . Bro .
W . B . Mactavish , D . S . G . W ., and P . M . of Lodge 109 , seconded b y W . Bro . Bonnerjce , D . G . Registrar , and W . M . of Lodge 67 , taken as read , and W . Bro . A . LeFranc , D . J . G . Deacon , and W . M . of Lodge 229 , moved that it be adopted and recorded . Seconded b y W . Bro . Fitze , acting D . G . Treas ., and P . M . of Lodge 218 , and carried . A report of proceedings of the Committee of General
Purposes , at a meeting held on thc 7 th June , having been printed and circulated , W . Uro . Beer , W . M . 218 , and Past D . G . Organist , moved that it be taken as read . Seconded by W . Bro . Girling , W . M . of Lodge 232 , and Past D . G . Dir . of Cer ., and carried . W . Bro . Bonnerjce , D . G . Registrar , and W . M . of Lodge » 7 > moved that the accounts as exhibited in the abstracts
contained in saitl report be accepted as correct and passed . W . Bro . Turner , Past D . G . Sword Bearer , and P . M . of Lod ge 1374 , seconded the motion , which was carried . W . Bro . Zemin , Past D . G . Registrar , and P . M . of Lodge 229 , moved that the recommendation made by the Committee
of General Purposes in the third paragraph of their TLV ° ~ ° " - 71 h J une be adopted . Seconded by W . Bro . w . Girling , Past D . G . Dir . of Cer ., and W . M . of Lodge - \ "l * i and carried . w > Bro . LeFranc , D . J . G . D ., and W . M . of Lodge 229 ,
District Grand Lodge Of Bengal.
moved that the report of the Grand Committee of the Fund of Benevolence ( from thc 18 th March to 14 th June , 1 S 75 I , having been printed and circulated , be taken as read . Seconded by W . Bro . Fitze , acting D . G . Treas ., and P . M . of Lodge 218 , and carried . W . Bro . Blackburn , Past D . G . Superintendent of Works , and P . M . of Lotlge 218 , moved that the report referred to
in thc foregoing resolution be adopted and recorded . Seconded by W . Bro . Dutt , D . G . Assist . Dir . of Ceremonies , anti W . M . of Lodge 234 , and carrietl . The District Grand Master in thc chair said , wilh reference to thc next business upon the agenda paper , viz , " to elect a brother to act as Treasurer during thc absence of W . Bro . W . I-I . Jones , or until thc period for thc next an
nual election , " that , as many of them knew , the D . G . Treasurer ( W . Bro . W . H . Jones ) had a short time since left Calcutta for England , and it had accordingly become necessary that he ( the District Grand Master in the chair ) should , until the next meeting of District Grand Lodge , appoint a brother to act as Treasurer . He had appointed W . Bro . Fitze , having the fullest
confidence in that brother ' s special qualifications for the office , as well as in his general worth as a man and as a Mason —a confidence which was the fruit of many years of close acquaintance . W . Bro . Fitze had taken over charge of the books and moneys from W . Bro . Jones on the 1 st May , and since that date had acted as District Grand Treasurer . His appointment however was valid only for
the purpose of carrying on the current work until a meeting of District Grand Lodge should take place ; and it would now be for District Grand Lodge either to confirm W . Bro . Fitze in the appointment of Treasurer , or elect some other brother thereto . W . Prosunno Cooniar Dutt , D . Assist . G . Dir . of Ceremonies , and W . M . of Lodge 234 , moved that W . Bro .
William Henry Fitze , Past Dist . Grand Deacon , and P . M . of Lodge 218 , be clectetl to fill the office of District Grand Treasurer during the absence of W . Bro . William Henry Jones , or until the period for the next annual election . Seconded by VV . Bro . James Blackburn , Past D . G . Supdt . of Works , and P . M . of Lodge 218 . The District Grand Master in the chair enquired if any
member of District Grand Lodge had any other nomination to make . None being proposed , W . Bro . Dutt's motion was put , and was declared to be carried unanimously . Thc acting District Grand Secretary having announced that thc next business standing on the agenda paper was a notice of motion by W . Bro . Major Young , on the
subject of the transmission of a memorial from this District Grantl Lodge to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , our M . W . G . M ., praying him to appoint our W . Bro . Roberts to be his District Grand Master for Bengal The District Grand Master in the chair expressed his desire to retire while this portion of the business of the evening was under consideration , and called upon W .
l ) ro . Frederick Jennings , Past Deputy District Grand Master , to take the chair . VV . Bro . Roberts then handed the Hiram of District Grand Lodge to VV . Bro . Jennings , and left the lodgeroom , duly attentlcd to the ante-room by the Dist . Grand Deacons and Dist . Grand Stewartls , under the orders of the District Grand Director of Ceremonies .
Pursuant to notice duly entered on the agenda paper , W . Bro . Major Thomas Newton Young , W . M . of Lodge Sandeman , No . 1374 , P . M . of Lodges 552 , 83 6 , 988 , and 106 5 , and Past D . G . Superintendent of Works of thc District Grand Lodge of the Punjab , then moved that the following memorial be sent from this District Grand Lodge to the Most Worshipful the Grand Master : —
" The Most High , Puissant and Most Illustrious Fringe Albert Edward , Prince of Wales , Duke of Saxony , Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay , Earl of Chester , Carrick , and Dublin , Baron of Renfrew , and Lord of the Isles , Great Steward of Scotland , Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter , Knight of the Most Ancient and Noble Order of the Thistle , Knight Grand Cross of the
Most Honourable Order of the Bath , Knight of the most Illustrious Order of St . Patrick , and Knight Grand Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India , & c , & c , & c , Grand Master of thi United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England : "The humble memorial of the District Grand Lodge of Bengal , and of twenty of thc daughter lodges thereof
working under the United Grand Lodge of England : Sheweth—that upwards of two years have now elapsed since the departure , from this country , of District Grand Master Hugh David Sandeman . That during this time the province has successfully been under the rule of , and District Grand Lodge has been presided over by , Past Deputy District Grand Masters Kennedy , Locke , and
Roberts ; thc last appointed Deputy ( W . Bro . Murray ) having left India even before District Grand Master Sandeman himself did . That your memorialists have no desire to complain of , or feel the smallest dissatisfaction at , the manner in which the important responsibilities connected with the care and charge of the province have been discharged by the aforesaid Past Deputy District Grand
Masters ; on the contrary , your memorialists are anxious to declare , and would hereby record , their full sense of the services rendered to Freemasonry in Bengal by thc Worshipful Brethren above-named , whereby the Craft is at thc present moment in a condition certainly not less prosperous than it was at the time of , and previous to , the departure ol the District Grand Master . That your
memorialists however arc of opinion that any further delay in the appointment of a regular and resident successor to R . W . Bro . H . D . Sandeman , as District Grand Master for Bengal , cannot but be exceedingly prejudicial to the best interests of Freemasonry in this large and ancient province . That the aforesaid District Grand Master Sandeman did announce to the province , in District Grand Lodge assembled , on the 27 th day of December , 1872 , that he had tendered to
District Grand Lodge Of Bengal.
thc M . W . thc G . M . j the resignation of bis high officeand your memorialists have since learnt , from thc said District Grand Master Sandeman himself , that it is not bis intention to return to India . Wherefore your memorialists , having the prosperity of the Craft at heart , do now humbly pray that it may please your Royal Highness to appoint . a trusty and expert brother , of fit station and of
due worth and knowledge , to be your Royal Highness ' s District Grand Master in , and for , Bengal . , " And this Memorial further sheweth—that having ascertained what tbe wishes of the lodges in the province arc , with respect to this appointment , your memorialists humbly venture to approach your Royal Highness with the following recommendation :
" That your Royal Highness will be graciously pleased to appoint to the office of District Grand Master for Bengal ofthe under-mentioned VV . brother , to wit : —John Blessington Roberts , of Calcutta , Esquire , Superintendent of Her Majesty ' s Indian Stationery and Stamp Office , Justice of the Peace , & c , & c , etc . ; a Master Mason of nearly thirty years' standing , a Past Master in the Craft , who has held
almost every office in this District Grand Lodge up to that of Deputy Grand Master , which he filled nearly ten years ago , and who is an able , worthy , and high-minded brother , in whom your memorialists can confidently pray your Royal Highness to repose full trust . " That your memorialists arc in no wise forgetful that the appointment of District Grand Master is wholly and
entirely a prerogative of your Royal Highness s exalted oflice as Grand Master of thc Order , and that your memorialists have , as of use , wont , or right , no voice , vote , or choice whatever , but your memorialists venture to 'believe that , having regard to the great distance which separates this province from your Royal 1 Ugliness , you will be graciously pleased to permit anil suffer your memorialists to
offer this humble declaration of their opinions and desires , and to accord to the same jour Royal Highness ' s gracious and valuable consideration . " And your memorialists . is in duty bound will ever pray . " In moving his resolution , W . Bro . Major Young said he felt that he need have no hesitation in urging its adoption .
The name of W . Bro . Roberts was so well known , his Masonic reputation hail extended so far and witlc , the unanimity shown by the lodges in favour of his appointment as head of thc province had been so marked , that it needed no words from him to recommend the resolution which he had the honour to move . Thc unanimity regarding it which
he had referred to was in itself a convincing proof , if any were needed , of thc high consideration and esteem with which W . Bro . Roberts was universally regarded by tbe Craft in Bengal . W . Bro . Bonnerjce , barrister at-law , D . G . Registrar , anil W . M . of Lodge 67 , saitl he concurred in every word W . Bro . Young had uttered , and most heartily seconded his
motion . The District Grand Master in the chair , in putting the motion , said it must be generally felt that thc step proposed to be taken was one of the highest importance to Freemasonry in this province . It surely could not be beneficial to the interests of the Craft that the province should be left virtually without a responsible ruler for an indefinite time , and
he was glad that District Grand Lodge hatl decided to recommend to the M . W . thc Grand Master , for appointment to thc high oflice of District Grand Master , a Mason so able , and so experienced , as W . Bro . Roberts . The motion was then put and carried unanimously . The District Grand Master in the chair then desired the D . G . Dir . of Cer . to proceed with the Dist . Grand Deacons
and Dist . Grand Stewards to thc ante-room , and to beg Wor . Bro . Roberts to return to District Grand Lodge . W . Bro . Roberts having re-entered , and re-assumed the Hiram , W . Bro . Jennings reported the resolution which had beer , passed in his absence . W . Bro . Roberts thanked the brethren for the mark of their confidence , and said , that whatever might be the result
of the resolution which they had just recorded , his best services would always be at the disposal of the Freemasons in Bengal . The Acting District Grand Secretary reported the receipt of apologies from the several brethren for unavoidable nonattendance that evening . The Acting District Grand Secretary moved , that the
Committee for considering , and reporting upon , thc means by which a Freemasons' Hall may be erected in Calcutta , and for ~ managing all arrangements in connection with any Masonic ceremonial that may take place on the occasion of the Prince of Wales ' s visit , be constituted as follows , namely , thc present Committee of General Purposes , with the addition thereto , by the Acting District Grand Master , of such brethren as he may think likely to be able
to assist 111 the work . Thc Committee to report on the subject of thc Freemasons' Hall by the ~ ist July . Seconded by W . Bro . J . L . Taylor , Past D . S . G . W ., anti P . M . of Lodges 392 and 1374 , and carried . There being no further business to be brought forward , the usual collection was made for the Fund of Benevolence ; the amount was announced to be lis . S 7-12 . District Grand Lodge was then closetl in form .
The Position Of Masonry In The Year 1875, And Its Noble Charities.
THE POSITION OF MASONRY IN THE YEAR 1875 , AND ITS NOBLE CHARITIES .
This year has no doubt been a year " par excellence " for Masonry , as far as Great Britain is concerned : we have seen our future King devoting himself to our interests , coming amongst us at a critical moment to work with us ,
and assist us in building up tlie great Masonic edifice of Faith , Hope , and Charity . Yes , my brethren , a new stone has been laid , on which , I trust , a superstructure will rise worthy of its builder . The stone has been laid and the key-note struck , and already nunibcrs ][ are flocking to our gates , seeking admission to