India.

due to him ; and on Bro . Diver ' s entrance , the brethren rose , and on his ascending the dais , saluted him with royal honours . The AA . M . then addressed him as follows : — " Worshipful Bro . Diver , in the name of Lodge Concord and of the brethren here assembled , I express the happiness we all feel for the return among us of so beloved and worthy a Master . Let me assure you that during your absence , not a meeting has passed

but your name has been brought to recollection . The members of this lodge maintain a fond remembrance of your many amiable qualities and the benefits you have conferred upon the Craft , and gladly greet your reappearance here this evening . I congratulate the lodge in your being once more among us . I also congratulate you , Worshipful Sir , on your renewed health , and may the Great Architect of the Universe watch over and protect youthat you may be with us for many "

, years . Bro . Diver rose , aud in a speech of deep feeling returned thanks to the brethren for the very flattering reception they had given him on his return amongst them . The lodge was then opened in the second degree , when Bros . A Colby , AV . G . Bourne , T . McPherson , and R . AV . Burton were called before the pedestal and examined as to their proficiency as Fellow Craftsmen , and having satisfactorily acquitted themselves , were passed out for preparation , previous to which

all F . C . 's were passed out . The lodge having been duly prepared was opened in the third degree , when Bros . A . Colby , T . McPherson , J , Harkness , A \ . G . Bourne , and R . AA . Burton , were reintroduced and duly raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in due ancient form . The lodge was then lowered to the first degree . Bro . Prescott solicited the extension of the allowance to a

widow of a brother Mason for a further period of six months as she was still in need ; Bro . A . King seconded the proposition , Avhich was put to the lodge and carried . The Worshipful Master rose , and with much emotion intimated to the brethren that it was with great regret that lie had to announce his expected early departure from Bombay , and this night would be the last time that he would have the pleasure of presiding over them . Circumstances over Avhich

he had no control had called him away , and he must attend the calls of duty . He thanked the brethren for the many great kindnesses he had received at their hands , kindnesses which he could never forget . He would often think , nay , he might say , the regular night of meeting of Concord Lodge Avould not pass without thinking of the brethren , and he hoped when he looked upon the portrait which they had so handsomely voted and placed in that lodge , they would not forget him . They had

conferred many favours and attenlions upon him , of which he felt himself unworthy ; they had on his arrival in Bombay elected him an honorary member of that lodge , the highest honour a lodge couid confer . But there was another favour which he would ask them to confer . It might please the Great Architect of the Universe that he ( Bro . Wickham ) might never return again among them ; he therefore bogged the brethren to allow him the pleasure of bidding them farewell and shaking

hands with them individually . ( The brethren then marched TOtrnd in procession , shaking hands with the W . M . in passing and Avishing him God speed . ) The AV . M . then called upon Bro . Parker , S . AV ., to advance to the east . ( The S . W . was temporarily relieved . ) On advancing to the pedestal , the AA' . M . informed him that , owing to his leaving Bombay , the management of the lodge would devolve upon himand exhorted him to he diligent and attentive to his

, duties , and to maintain as far as lay in his power brotherly love , harmony , and good feeling , for which Lodge Concord was proverbial . He then delivered over to him the warrant , exhorting him to maintain it as pure and unsullied as he received it ; the Book of Constitutions , which he begged him to study and strictly adhere to the rules therein laid down . It was a strict adherence to those rules ouly that would cement-the cordiality in that lodge , by preventing dissensions ; and the by-laws of

the lodge , which he should endeavour to carry out with integrity . That he could not sit in the eastern chair until regularly installed , neither could he confer degrees ; but from the ready assistance he had always received from the Past Masters , he was fully assured that they would render the same to him , and make the W . M . 's absence as little felt as possible . Several gentlemen were then proposed for initiation , and the lodge closed with prayer in love and concord at half-past nine p . m .

The brethren then adjourned to the banquet table , and tli cloth having been removed , the AV . M . said , let us be loya subjects to our rulers and drink to "The Health of the Queen and the Craft" with all honours . Tb . li next toast of obligation was then proposed by the Worshipful Master , " The three Grand Masters of England and Ireland . "

Hie Health of the Provincial Grand Masters Bros . G . Taylor and R . B . Barton" Avas then proyosed and drank with <> -ood Masonic fire . The AV . M . then said : "Brethren , fill your glasses fn-a toast which has over and over been drank in these rooms with the greatest cordiality . I see one at our board Avho has indeed won the esteem and affection of yon all ; I allude to your Pa-it Master Bro . Diver ; I see I am not mistaken in stating that you one

and all love him ; I am glad to see him here , and I hope ho will now be regularly with you , seeing that the work of this lodge will devolve on him as I am about to leave you . I do not now regret , seeing that you have an able Senior Warden in Bro . Parker , and again , he the AA arden will have the able services of our esteemed Brother Diver . I am glad to see that the short change has done him good . Our earnest hope is , that he may yet see many bright and sunny days ; from my heart I wish him

success , and from my heart I state that the success of Lodge Concord is in a great measure owing to the efforts of one who had the interests of Lodge Concord and Masonry at heart . Brethren , let us now as brother Masons greet our esteemed brother and drink bumpers . " Bro . Dr . Diver then rose , when the brethren again cheered him , he said : Worshipful Sir and Brethren , from the depth of my heart I thank you most sincerelfor the toast which

y has just been proposed and drank . I really do not know what I have done to merit so much commendation ; one thing I am certain , that although I have been absent for a season , still you have been kind enough to think of me . I am thankful since my arrival I have received sympathy from all my friends and brother Masons ; but the marked kindness shown to me this day by you , AVorshipful Sir and Brethren , is of such a naturethat I can hardlfind words to expiessmy thoughts ;

, y I feel overpowered . You in your good nature have made me a life Governor of the three Masonic Institutions , the Boys ' School , the Girls' School , and the Asylum for the aged , infirm , and distressed Masons . I hope you will bear with me for a short time , when I refer to these Institutions ( an honour I

fear I never deserred ) . I though it a duty I owed to my lodge to visit each Institution ; I did so , and I can now report to you , that they are well managed ; the boys and girls are carefully taught , and I must say that even I would not be backward to send my own children to one of these schools . The Asylum for the aged Masons is also well and carefully managed ; there I saw brother Masons in their aged days fed and provided for . I would advise you when you should go home to visit these

schools , for there alone you would see the utility of these noble Institutions . I have again to thank you for all kindness ; allow me now to refer to a brother who is about to leave us , I mean Bro . H . AA ickham : he is indeed so well known among you , that the toast I am about to propose does not require a preface ; he is a Mason not only in name hut in thought and deed ; his Masonic career has indeed been of such a nature , that his good name has spread far and wide ; he is known in

Calcutta , in Rangoon , in Bombay , and other parts of the land ; he is , if I mistake not , an honorary member of not less than fourteen lodges , yes , brethren , I say he well deserved all this kindness , and he deserves more ; he is about to leave us , and therefore let us wish him every joy and prosperity ; I therefore ask you to charge your glasses and drink it with good fire . Bro . AVickham then said : Bro . Diver and brethren , I thank you from my heart for your kind wishes ; as the evening has

far advanced I must be brief . I must say Bro . Diver has been flattering me rather too much ; I do not know why such honours should be heaped on me ; wherever I have been I have endeavoured to do my duty as a man and a Mason , and I was glad to see brethren ever foremost to help me ; here in Lodge Concord , where from the first day ot my arrival I haye been treated with marked kindness , sorry indeed do I feel to part from hut I hope you will think of me and

among you , pray for me . There are two worthy brethren on my left , I mean Bros . Famham and Alfred King , the Past Masters of this lodge , they have indeed worked well and worked nobly for the good of the lodge and Craft in general ; therefore , brethren , let me ask you to drink to their good health .