Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
INDIA .
BENGAL . DISTRICT GRAND LODGE . A quarterly communication of the District Grand Lodge of Bengal was held on Friday , the 21 st March , 1862 , Bro . J . J . L . Hoff , D . Prov . G . M ., presiding as Prov . G . M . On opening the lodge , he said : — " Brethren—On the appointment of a new Prov . G . M ., I neither expected nor desired to be re-appointed to office . At the special request , however , of the Prov . G . M ., who ivas my
predecessor both as Prov . G . See . and as D . Prov . G . M . and Avhom I have for many years held in high esteem , I have consented to continue in the latter office . My patent of appointment ought to have been read at our last meeting , but it ivas not ready then . I have lately received it from the Prov . G . M ., Ai'ho has prepared it ivith his own hand . " The PROA ' . G , See . read the patent :- — The brethren then saluted the D . Prov . G . M . in the usual
manner . The D . PROV . G . M . then said "Brethren , I thank you heartily for this formal and gratifying manifestation of your respect for the authority vested in me . I have hitherto endeavoured to act up to my sense of duty , and I hope to continue in the same ¦ course . As Ave shall haA'e to enter this evening upon business ivhich may probably lead to a protracted discussion , I beg that , to save time , the brethren wishing to speak ivill limit their
remarks on each subject to one speech , except the mover of a resolution , who will have the privilege of a reply . And in the event of a difference of opinion , I trust that the arguments on either side will be expressed temperately . Before proceeding to business , I wish to notice the erroneous light in which , I have reason to believe , some lodges , or brethren , have viewed the cir-• cular recently issued by the Prov . G . Sec ., pointing out the law in the Poole of Constitutionsunder the head of
visitorsregard-, , ing resident brethren who are not subscribing members of any lodge . I was not aware of the existence in Calcutta of the practice against which that law provides , until it was brought to my notice in the District Grand Lodge by the Master of a Lodge , when I could do no less than remind the Masters of Lodges of the prohibition in the Boole of Constitutions . The circular , however , contained no order of my own . " Bro . ROBERTSP . Prov . S . G . W . — " The nature of the
prohibi-, tion seems to have been misunderstood in some quarters . It does not refer to the admission of unattached brethren to tbe banquet table , but into lodges . A lodge is at liberty to invite any brother Mason , —mind , any brother Mason , —as often as it chooses , to partake of its hospitality ; but it is not at liberty to receive such brethren more than once into the lodge-room . The D . Prov . G . M . did not exercise , any interference with the
right of lodges , but merely called attention to a constitutional rule . " Bro . JENNINGS , Prov . S . G . W . — " It appears to me that the rule alluded to is not applicable to the colonies , and that , in ¦ such matters , every loclge should be left to carry out its oivn arrangements . I am sure I express the sentiments of every lodge AA'hen I say , that our hospitality should have only the same limits as our charity . "
The D . PROA ' . G . M . — "It must be borne in mind , however , that there Avas no interfence ivith the lodges , when a breach of the Constitutions having been brought to my notice , I issued a general circular , reminding the Masters of the rule . If I were at liberty , perhaps I might alter the laws ; but I am not competent to officially condemn or ignore them , and we are under an ¦ obligation to observe them . " Bro . SANDEMANProv . J . G . W . — "R . W . SirT have full
, , y understood your object , which is , not to interfere with lodges if they chose to invite unattached Masons to their banquet tables , but to point out to them that they have not the poiver to invite such brethren to the lodge-room ; for the Constitutions direct that ' a brother who is not a subscribing member to a lodge , shall not be permitted to visit any lodge in the town or place where he resides more than once during his secession from tho Craft . ' The object of this rule is obvious ; it will be explained
by the third of the Antient Charges , where itis said that 'every brother ought to belong to some lodge . ' It is expected that those who derive any benefit from Masonry should contribute towards the lnaintence of the Institution . " Bro . EVANS , TV . M . Lodge 282;— " As the member who introduced the subl ' ect into the District Grand Lodge , I beg to be allowed to make a few remarks in explanation of the reasons why I did so . It was because I observed that there were certain
India.
Brethren who , while shirking their duties as Masons , made it a practice of visiting my Lodge ancl other Lodges , such as Con " rage and Industry , and that they were the first to sit down to table . It then ocenred to me that , as there was a law against sponging , it should be enforced , as it ivas not seeml y that men Avho did nothing to advance the interests of Masonry , should be trading upon it . They are also the first to put their hands into our pockets , and to claim relief . "
Bro . DAVIS , W . M ., Lodge 120 , with reference to Bro . Evans ' s allusion to Lodge Industry , stated that any interference with the hospitality of his Lodge was not desired , aud that the circular of the Pro . G . Secretary was understood to refer to the banquets , because the word " hospitality" was used in it . The D . PROV . G . M . observed that in Calcutta it was always understood that a visit to the Lodge room ensured a seat at the table , and that exclusion from the former , under the law quoted
saved the Masters , who disapproved of the practice condemned by the previous speakers , from the necessity of taking any further steps for excluding from the latter also . The D . Prov . G . M . then spoke as follows : — "The first question to be brought forwarded for the decision of tlie District Grand Lodge is as to whether the mode of making up the rent of the Freemasons' Hall should be changed . This question was postponed at tlie last Quarterly
Communication . I myself do not see any absolute necessity for any alteration of the 15 th Bye-Law ; nor do I see any objection to the proposal , provided the rate of assesment ( 8 annas per member per mensem ) will suffice . On tbis point I have a doubt . Hoivever , the motion is before you , ancl yon will dispose of it as you may think proper . " The Prov . Grand Secretary read extracts from the proceedings of the two last meetings of the District Grand Lodgerelating
, to the above subject . The motion was " that the Lodges should be charged for rent at the rate of 8 annas per mensem for each subscribing member , the Prov . G . Treasurer being guided by tho quarterly returns furnished to tho Prov . G . Secretary , and the bills being made out quarterly ; but that the minimum payment by any Lodge should be 10 rupees per mensem : " moved by Bro . Jennings , seconded by Bro . J . Martin . R . W . Bro . ROBERTS proposed that the existing law should be
maintained until better grounds Avere shown for altering it . An assessment of one rupee per head would be too much ; while an assessment of 8 annas was insufficient . Bro . LLEIVELTN seconded the amendment . The amendment was supported by fourteen votes , and the original motion by 20 . The latter was therefore declared to be carried . Tbe D . PROA-. G . M . said an address of condolence to the
Queen , on her recent heavy affliction , has been forwarded to England , with the signatures of the Prov . G . M . ancl a few of the senior officers of the District Grand Lodge , to which will he added those of the Past Prov . G . Masters , Bros . Ramsay and Burlton . I am now awaiting the instructions of the Prov . G . M . as to whether a copy of the address should be sent to each , lodge for the signatures of the members . I will have it read for record .
The Prov . G . Sec . accordingly read the address of condolence . The D . PROV . G . M . — " A reference has been made to me by Loclge Arrakan ( No . 929 ) , at Akyab , regarding one of its members , Avho has been excluded , and is further recommended for expulsion . It ivould occupy much time to read the papers ; but they shall be read if any brother should consider it necessary to hear them . The pith of tho matter is that a brother named Morris threatened in lodge to assault another
, but- afterwards tendered an apology , which was accepted by the offended party . He also tendered his resignation of the lodge . I referred the matter to a Committee ; and I am glad to find , from their report , that their opinion is perfectly concurrent with mine . The report will be read , and you will have to base your decision upon it . The PROV . G . SEC . read the Committee's report , ivhich ivas to the effect that the offence did not callfor the extreme penatty
of expulsion , and that as Bro . Morris had acknowledged his error , his suspension from Masonic privileges from the time that lie committed the offence , until the receipt of the decision of the District Grand Loclge , would fully met the requirements of the case . On a motion made by Bro . Howe , seconded by Bro . Roberts , the committee ' s recommendation was adopted . The D . PROV . G . M . — "The next case is that of Mr . John Urquhart Sandys , formerly of Lodge True Friendship . In 1840
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
INDIA .
BENGAL . DISTRICT GRAND LODGE . A quarterly communication of the District Grand Lodge of Bengal was held on Friday , the 21 st March , 1862 , Bro . J . J . L . Hoff , D . Prov . G . M ., presiding as Prov . G . M . On opening the lodge , he said : — " Brethren—On the appointment of a new Prov . G . M ., I neither expected nor desired to be re-appointed to office . At the special request , however , of the Prov . G . M ., who ivas my
predecessor both as Prov . G . See . and as D . Prov . G . M . and Avhom I have for many years held in high esteem , I have consented to continue in the latter office . My patent of appointment ought to have been read at our last meeting , but it ivas not ready then . I have lately received it from the Prov . G . M ., Ai'ho has prepared it ivith his own hand . " The PROA ' . G , See . read the patent :- — The brethren then saluted the D . Prov . G . M . in the usual
manner . The D . PROV . G . M . then said "Brethren , I thank you heartily for this formal and gratifying manifestation of your respect for the authority vested in me . I have hitherto endeavoured to act up to my sense of duty , and I hope to continue in the same ¦ course . As Ave shall haA'e to enter this evening upon business ivhich may probably lead to a protracted discussion , I beg that , to save time , the brethren wishing to speak ivill limit their
remarks on each subject to one speech , except the mover of a resolution , who will have the privilege of a reply . And in the event of a difference of opinion , I trust that the arguments on either side will be expressed temperately . Before proceeding to business , I wish to notice the erroneous light in which , I have reason to believe , some lodges , or brethren , have viewed the cir-• cular recently issued by the Prov . G . Sec ., pointing out the law in the Poole of Constitutionsunder the head of
visitorsregard-, , ing resident brethren who are not subscribing members of any lodge . I was not aware of the existence in Calcutta of the practice against which that law provides , until it was brought to my notice in the District Grand Lodge by the Master of a Lodge , when I could do no less than remind the Masters of Lodges of the prohibition in the Boole of Constitutions . The circular , however , contained no order of my own . " Bro . ROBERTSP . Prov . S . G . W . — " The nature of the
prohibi-, tion seems to have been misunderstood in some quarters . It does not refer to the admission of unattached brethren to tbe banquet table , but into lodges . A lodge is at liberty to invite any brother Mason , —mind , any brother Mason , —as often as it chooses , to partake of its hospitality ; but it is not at liberty to receive such brethren more than once into the lodge-room . The D . Prov . G . M . did not exercise , any interference with the
right of lodges , but merely called attention to a constitutional rule . " Bro . JENNINGS , Prov . S . G . W . — " It appears to me that the rule alluded to is not applicable to the colonies , and that , in ¦ such matters , every loclge should be left to carry out its oivn arrangements . I am sure I express the sentiments of every lodge AA'hen I say , that our hospitality should have only the same limits as our charity . "
The D . PROA ' . G . M . — "It must be borne in mind , however , that there Avas no interfence ivith the lodges , when a breach of the Constitutions having been brought to my notice , I issued a general circular , reminding the Masters of the rule . If I were at liberty , perhaps I might alter the laws ; but I am not competent to officially condemn or ignore them , and we are under an ¦ obligation to observe them . " Bro . SANDEMANProv . J . G . W . — "R . W . SirT have full
, , y understood your object , which is , not to interfere with lodges if they chose to invite unattached Masons to their banquet tables , but to point out to them that they have not the poiver to invite such brethren to the lodge-room ; for the Constitutions direct that ' a brother who is not a subscribing member to a lodge , shall not be permitted to visit any lodge in the town or place where he resides more than once during his secession from tho Craft . ' The object of this rule is obvious ; it will be explained
by the third of the Antient Charges , where itis said that 'every brother ought to belong to some lodge . ' It is expected that those who derive any benefit from Masonry should contribute towards the lnaintence of the Institution . " Bro . EVANS , TV . M . Lodge 282;— " As the member who introduced the subl ' ect into the District Grand Lodge , I beg to be allowed to make a few remarks in explanation of the reasons why I did so . It was because I observed that there were certain
India.
Brethren who , while shirking their duties as Masons , made it a practice of visiting my Lodge ancl other Lodges , such as Con " rage and Industry , and that they were the first to sit down to table . It then ocenred to me that , as there was a law against sponging , it should be enforced , as it ivas not seeml y that men Avho did nothing to advance the interests of Masonry , should be trading upon it . They are also the first to put their hands into our pockets , and to claim relief . "
Bro . DAVIS , W . M ., Lodge 120 , with reference to Bro . Evans ' s allusion to Lodge Industry , stated that any interference with the hospitality of his Lodge was not desired , aud that the circular of the Pro . G . Secretary was understood to refer to the banquets , because the word " hospitality" was used in it . The D . PROV . G . M . observed that in Calcutta it was always understood that a visit to the Lodge room ensured a seat at the table , and that exclusion from the former , under the law quoted
saved the Masters , who disapproved of the practice condemned by the previous speakers , from the necessity of taking any further steps for excluding from the latter also . The D . Prov . G . M . then spoke as follows : — "The first question to be brought forwarded for the decision of tlie District Grand Lodge is as to whether the mode of making up the rent of the Freemasons' Hall should be changed . This question was postponed at tlie last Quarterly
Communication . I myself do not see any absolute necessity for any alteration of the 15 th Bye-Law ; nor do I see any objection to the proposal , provided the rate of assesment ( 8 annas per member per mensem ) will suffice . On tbis point I have a doubt . Hoivever , the motion is before you , ancl yon will dispose of it as you may think proper . " The Prov . Grand Secretary read extracts from the proceedings of the two last meetings of the District Grand Lodgerelating
, to the above subject . The motion was " that the Lodges should be charged for rent at the rate of 8 annas per mensem for each subscribing member , the Prov . G . Treasurer being guided by tho quarterly returns furnished to tho Prov . G . Secretary , and the bills being made out quarterly ; but that the minimum payment by any Lodge should be 10 rupees per mensem : " moved by Bro . Jennings , seconded by Bro . J . Martin . R . W . Bro . ROBERTS proposed that the existing law should be
maintained until better grounds Avere shown for altering it . An assessment of one rupee per head would be too much ; while an assessment of 8 annas was insufficient . Bro . LLEIVELTN seconded the amendment . The amendment was supported by fourteen votes , and the original motion by 20 . The latter was therefore declared to be carried . Tbe D . PROA-. G . M . said an address of condolence to the
Queen , on her recent heavy affliction , has been forwarded to England , with the signatures of the Prov . G . M . ancl a few of the senior officers of the District Grand Lodge , to which will he added those of the Past Prov . G . Masters , Bros . Ramsay and Burlton . I am now awaiting the instructions of the Prov . G . M . as to whether a copy of the address should be sent to each , lodge for the signatures of the members . I will have it read for record .
The Prov . G . Sec . accordingly read the address of condolence . The D . PROV . G . M . — " A reference has been made to me by Loclge Arrakan ( No . 929 ) , at Akyab , regarding one of its members , Avho has been excluded , and is further recommended for expulsion . It ivould occupy much time to read the papers ; but they shall be read if any brother should consider it necessary to hear them . The pith of tho matter is that a brother named Morris threatened in lodge to assault another
, but- afterwards tendered an apology , which was accepted by the offended party . He also tendered his resignation of the lodge . I referred the matter to a Committee ; and I am glad to find , from their report , that their opinion is perfectly concurrent with mine . The report will be read , and you will have to base your decision upon it . The PROV . G . SEC . read the Committee's report , ivhich ivas to the effect that the offence did not callfor the extreme penatty
of expulsion , and that as Bro . Morris had acknowledged his error , his suspension from Masonic privileges from the time that lie committed the offence , until the receipt of the decision of the District Grand Loclge , would fully met the requirements of the case . On a motion made by Bro . Howe , seconded by Bro . Roberts , the committee ' s recommendation was adopted . The D . PROV . G . M . — "The next case is that of Mr . John Urquhart Sandys , formerly of Lodge True Friendship . In 1840