India,

INDIA ,

( From the Indian Freemasons' Friend . )

CALCUTTA . R ECEPTION OE THE RAJA OE KUPOOIMHIUXLA . —LODGE STAR IN TUE EAST ( NO . 80 ) . On the 12 th February , 1862 , the Raja of Kupoortlmlla and his brother Sirdar Bikrama Sing , were entertained as guests by Lodge Star in the East ( No . 80 ) . The D . Prov . G . M ., R . W . Bro . J . J- L . Hoftj attended by the principal Provincial Grand Officers , all in their official clothing , was present , and was

conducted upstairs by a deputation . A large number of brethren Avere also present . The AA ' . M ., after observing the usual ceremony of offering the Hiram to the D . Prov . G . M ., proceeded to business , and several candidates were initiated . The officers seemed to be well up to their AVOI-IC , and the degree ivas conferred in a very orderly and satisfactory manner . In the banquet hall the brethren sat round three tables .

Although the assemblage Avas large , they did not find themselves squeezed together , as people often do at hurra Ichanas The Master of the lodge , R . W . Bro . Hugh Sandeman , had on his right hand the D . Prov . G . M ., ancl the Raja of Kupoortlmlla , and on his left the Past Master , B . AV . Bro . Howe , ancl Sirdar Bikrama Sing . At the conclusion of the repaststhe AV . Master rose and

, said i—Brethren ! The four first toasts of obligation : —the Queen and the Craft , the Grand Master of England , the Provincial Grand Master of Bengal , and all Poor and Distressed Brother Masons . Bro . Senior Warden , please to lead the honours . The W . M . then said : —I am certain that I will have the hearty applause of all present , Avhen I tell you that the next

toast I wish to propose is "The Health ofthe Deputy Provincial Grand Master , R . AV . Bro . Hoff ! " To the outer world , it is a subject of ivonder how a society founded upon principles of secresy can have so long continued to exist , Avhile all other human institutions have enjoyed , like humanity itself , only short lives , and have then passed away for eA-er . The cause is two-fold . First , the foundation is sure ; Masonry is , as it ivere , huilded on a rock , so that AA'hen the floods come , and the rains descend , and the ivind blows and beats upon that house , it falls

not , because it is founded upon a rock . Secondly , in every generation , a glorious few have been found , AVIIO , from a sincere love of the Order , and a hearty zeal for its interests , have devoted their time and their talents to its support , and have thus prevented that decay which ivould otherwise , slowly and gradually , hut steadily and effectively , eat even into a rock . A fitting type of one of those men is to be found in the person of B . W . Bro . Hoff . ( Cheers . ) He ivas toiling for the good of

Freemasonry long before most of the Masons now present were even horn . He is still active at his post , and has only recently assured the brethren that he will never desert them so long as it pleases the Great Architect to continue to him the blessings of health and strength . He is dearly loved by all Masons ; and , like other lodges , Star in the East is glad to greet him whenever he can visit it , either officially , or in his private capacity as an

ordinary Brother Mason . The AV . M . concluded by Avishing the D . Prov . G . M . all success and prosperity , and the toast was most enthusiastically received b y the brethren . After the D . Prov . G . M . had returned thanks , the AV . M . again rose ancl proposed the folioAving toast -. — "AVithout detracting from the other toasts , it is obvious that the health of our guests is the toast of the evening . AA ith it I Avill

couple the names of Bro . the Raja Rundheer Sing , of Kupoortlmlla , and Sirdar Bikrama Sing . ( Loud applause . ) I Avill not dwell in detail upon the antecedents of the Raja ; first , because by doing so I may be led to trespass upon ' political ground , Avhich is always forbidden in masonic assemblies , and , secondl y , because I do not wish to put him to the blush by any length y reiteration of the many historical facts in his career , ivhich redound much to his

so honour and his credit , and which are all as household ivords to every one who has ever resided in the Punjab . Suffice it to say , that , in the year 1857 , a year that Avill ever be memorable in the annals of India , he behaved with faithful and active loyalty . At the beginning of the outbreak he was residing in his family palace at Jtilhinder , and Avhen . in June ancl July of that year , the British troops Avere graduall y withdrawn from that part of the country to besiege Delhi for the purpose of retaking it ancl punishing the hordes ot cowardl y assassins who were swarming ivithin its walls , and

India,

the puppet king who had requited the kindness and generosity of the British Government by the most foul treachery and mis conduct , our Bro . Buiulheer Sing gave his troops , both horse and foot , to the Commissioner , for service in the JullunderDoab , ancl to maintain order in support of the civil power . Peace ivas maintained , and ample testimony has been borne to the usefulness of the Raja ' s troops during that trying time . Again ; Avhen in 1858 , Lucknow had been recaptured , and the immediate

re-occupation of the rest of the province of Oude ivas of importance , the Raja volunteered to go in person , with his best troops , from Jullunder to Lucknoiv , a distance of 500 miles ( about the distance from London to Aberdeen ) , in a tropical climate , and at the most trying season of the year . This offer Avas ¦ accepted , and , during the hot season and rains of 1 S 5 S , he Avas in camp in the interior of Oude , rendering service to the British Government against the rebels . This service has also been

substantially acknowledged by the British Government . As an individual , the Raja has always shown an enlightened example to the native Christians , not only in respect of politics , but of religion and morality ; and it was this latter circumstance that made the Freemasons at Lahore deem him a fit and proper person to become a Mason , and which led to his initiation , into onr ancient and honourable fraternity . These remarks apply equallto Bro . Sirdar Bikrama Singand I am glad to have had

y , an opportunity of publicly welcoming them both to the oldest Masonic lodge in British India , a circumstance which , I feel , Avill not only be appreciated by themselves , hut also by the lodge at Lahore , which gave them Masonic birth , and of which I myself had the honour of being the founder . " The W . M . concluded by expressing his gratification at seeing so many guests of Masonic rank amd worth at the table . He assured them that lodge Star in the East desired to limit its hospitality only

to the size and capabilities of the hall , which , not being possessed of elastic properties could only accommodate a certain number . The remedy rested ivith the brethren ; if they Avere to come for-Avard and build a larger hall , one worthy of the position of Masonry in this large and rapidly increasing capital ( hear , hear , from R . W . Bro . Roberts ) , it would be a source of happiness and an object of ambition to lodge Star in the East , to try and fill it on all important occasions .

RAJA BUNDUEEB SING . —AV . M . ar . d brethren , I find it difficult to express myself in the way in which I would Avish to convey to you my thanks for your kindness in having proposed my and my brother ' s health . In the first place , I am not quite familiar ivith the use of the English language in a speech ; and in the next place , Bro . Sandeman has alluded to so many circumstances in connection ivith my services in 1857 and 1858 , that it is impossible for me to touch upon every point . With

regard to my services , they do not deserve special notice ; for I ivas bound to render them ( cheers ) , aud I trust that Avhatever it is my duty to do , I shall ever keep in view , as long as I live ( cheers ) , and that my successors will act in like manner . I feel proud at being joined to such a noble society as that of the Freemasons , whose object it is to promote good-ivill among all classes and races of men ; and I will do my best to promote its interestsI beg will t our best thanks ( Cheers )

. you accep . . The D . PROV . G . M . — The R . AA . M . having permitted me to propose a toast , call upon you , brethren , to fill your glasses . It is a toast w-hich carries ivith it its own recommendation , and is therefore sure to mest ivith an hearty response ; and yet I am sorry it is not in the hands of some one better able to do it justice . It is , as you have doubtless anticipated , the health of your Worshipful Master . ( Loud cheers . ) Being au active

member of the Craft , he is Avell known among us in Calcutta ; add in the Upper Provinces he can , among other things , point AA'ith just pride to the fact that he founded the lodge at Lahore . He also established the Royal Arch Chapter and the Knight Templar Encampment there . The lodge of ivhith he now the Master Avas once dormant , and ivas revived by a feAv brethren , of whom I was one . It is now flourishing under his Hiram , as all may see . ( Cheers . ) These plain facts do not require the

embroidery of ivords , for they are eloquent in themselves ; and I therefore call upon you , Avhether members or visitors , to drink to the health of R . W . Bro . Sandeman . The AV . M ., in reply said Brethren ! It is always a difficult thing to return thanks , so as to steer clear between the desire to show one's appreciation of the honour conferred , and the desire to do it modestly . Our Right AVorshipful Brother , ivho has so kindly proposed my health , has been accustomed to return thanks from the time when I must have been a mere bulcha in my nurse's arms , or perhaps before I AVIIS even horn .