Proposed Masonic School For India.

PROPOSED MASONIC SCHOOL FOR INDIA .

ZOUTDON , SATURDAY , MAT 12 , 1866 .

We are glad to find that the A aluable suggestion which appeared in our Indian contemporary the Indian Freemasons Friend in 1857 ., with reference to the founding of a Masonic School for India , is at last beginning to assume a more tangible shape .

We heartily trust that the time is not far distant when we may see India provided with Masonic Charitable and Educational Institutions corresponding with those at home ; the brethren in India are numerous , and a considerable proportion

of them affluent , and Avill doubtless come fonvard freely in support of so desirable and laudable an object . We proceed to quote the article which has recently appeared upon this subject in the Indian Freemasons' Friend . In 1857 , a highly

esteemed brother , noAV permanently settled in England , but Avho is still a subscriber to the Indian Freemasons' Friend , wrote as follows : —¦ " The article in the last Indian Freemasons '

Friend , regarding the want of Masonic results in India ( there being nothing except the Fund of Benevolence ) , is a good one . * I wish Ave could see a temple erected , with its schools and asylums . Is not the present time a fitting one , in Avhich Ave

should be excited to do something in this way ? There must be aged and infirm Masons , and widows and orphans of brethren , Avhose cries for help should be heard and attended to . Let us join with heart and hand , and if Ave give ' a long

pull and a strong pull , and a pull altogether / we shall uproot the apathy Avhich has hitherto prevailed . I am sure the members of * * * * will be

glad to join m such a work individually and collectively ; and if every lodge in India would join cheerfully and liberally , we could do it . We might have a school on the hills or in some equally healthy spot , Avhere a future colony might spring

up , strengthening the hands of the mother country . In fact there is no saying IIOAV great the result might be in many ways . I hope , therefore , that Ave may be able to do something . " The Avish expressed by our correspondent , that the brethren in India vrould do " something / - ' has

not been gratified to this day ; but Ave are , at ' any rate , glad to observe that the subject is again attracting attention . A proposition is now being circulated by the brethren of the Lodge Charity , at Umballa , for the formation of a fund , for the

education of the children of Masons in needy circumstances , at a Masonic institution , to be founded at Simla or some other neighbouring hill station . This idea has been suggested to the brethren of the Umballa Lodge , by a proposition

circulated by Bro . A . J . Greenlaw , of Rangoon , for the laying of a foundation in the Masonic Boys ' School in England , for the education of the sons of deceased or deca 3 red Masons , Avho have served in India .

The following is the scheme put forth by the Umballa Lodge : —¦ 1 st . That all lodges and individual Mason Avilling to join , subscribe to form a fund to be under management as may be hereafter determined .

2 nd . That the object of the fund is eventually to found an institution in India ( Simla or neighbouring hills suggested ) for the education of children of needy Masons . 3 rd . As it may not be possible to at once start

the scheme in its entirety , that the money , at first subscribed , be placed in the hands of a committee to use to the best advantage in furthering the desired end , intermediately placing as many children as they can at either the Bishop ' s School

Simla , if Protestants , ' or the Roman Catholic College , if Catholics . 4 th . To raise and maintain the fund , the following is suggested : —¦* 1 st . Every individual Mason or lodge , willing " ,

subscribe 200 Rs . or more from their funds ; for every 200 Rs . so subscribed , they will be entitled to one life vote .

2 nd . That every individual Mason or lodge , paying an annual subscription of 25 Rs ., be entitled , for each sum so subscribed , to one vote for that year . 3 rd . As an additional means of raising an

income , that office holders of lodges pay as follows : —Worshipful Master on installation 10 Rs . ; Wardens 5 Rs . ; also that for each initiation passing , and raising , the sum of one rupee be given ; the sum thus raised to go towards the

fund , but giving no vote . 4 th . There are other means of raising subscriptions , which will not be felt by any individual .