Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An English View Of Freemasonry In America.
meantime we commend the pamphlet , which contains this letter by Bro . SPETH and the notes , and which is published b y J . E . CATES , Tacoma , Washington , U . S . A ., to the notice of our readers in the belief that they will find much to interest them in its pages .
Testimonial To R.W. Bro. The Hon. Sir H- T. Prinsep, Past District Grand Master Of Bengal.
TESTIMONIAL TO R . W . BRO . THE HON . SIR H- T . PRINSEP , PAST DISTRICT GRAND MASTER OF BENGAL .
WE have much p leasure in drawing attention to the testimonial which has been presented to Bro . Sir HENRY T . PRINSEP in recognition of his great services to Freemasonry in Bengal . Having ruled the District for upwards of 18 years , in June , 1 S 96 he grave over charge to his successor , the late Bro . General
Yi-ATMAN-RlGGS , whose lamented death on the . Indian Frontier was announced two months ago . The Past District Grand Master has been called upon to re-assume the government of this widely extended District , and the satisfaction felt by the brethren of the 4 6 lodges under his authority may be estimated from the singular advancement and prosperity which , as set forth in the Address , have marked his exertions during a period of
rule unexampled in an Indian climate . We heartily congratulate the brethren in Bengal on the resumption b y Bro . Sir M . T . PRINSEP of his position as their District Grand Master . The testimonial will take the form of a service of plate . The subscriptions raised by the brethren throughout the District aggregated 8000 rupees , equivalent , at the current exchange , to somewhat over £ 500 .
The presentation was made at Calcutta on Wednesday the 18 th ultimo . The meeting was largely attended , and Bro . W . H . FlT / . E , P . G . D . and P . D . D . G . M ., Bengal , spoke as follows : Right Worshiplul Sir and Brother , —We have met together this evening for the purpose ot presenting to Right Worshipful Bro . Sir H . T . Prinsep a testimonial which has been subscribed to by the different Masonic
bodies and by the Freemasons generally in this District of Bengal . The fcheme fora testimonial was started by our late lamented Right Worshipful B'o . Major-General A . G . Yeatman-Biggs soon after his accession to office as District Grand Master , and the call for subscriptions has been responded to viry liberally , and a sum of Rs . Sooo has been collected . When Sir Henry Prinsep resigned the office of District Grand Master in
June , iS () 6 , the announcement of his retirement was received with great repr . t throughout the District , although it was a source of satisfaction to the bri thren that in Sir Henry Frinsep ' s successor they had a very distinguished and experienced Freemason in the person of our late lamented Bro . General Yiatn an-Biggs . It was certainly never expected by any one that after his re ig-ia'ion and the installation of his successor , it could possibly happen
that Sir Htnry Prinsep should be again called upon to resume office . He did so temporarily , at the request of . our late District Grand Master , during his absence , as his Deputy District Grand Master ; but the fates have decried that he should , by the untimely death of General Yeatman-Biggs , be called upon to re-assume the rule of the District as our District Grand Mas ' er , and thus continue to manage its affairs which had been entrusted to
his care temporarily . While we regret much the sad circumstances which have occasioned this , the re-appointment of Sir Henry Prinsep as District Grand Master has been a source of great satisfaction to the brethren , who feel sure that the success which had marked his former rule of iS years will be continued , and that further good progress will follow . For my own part , brethren , I am disposed to think that nothing could be
more calculated to raise the enthusiasm of the brethren of this District Grand Ledge than the fact that Sir H . T . Prinsep has again out of pure love and devotion to the Craft consented to resume the reins of office . Brethren , I find it necessary to remind you that on a former occasion , on the 24 'h June , 1 SS 7 , more than 10 years ago , I acted in the same capacity as now , when the portrait of our District Grand Master was presented to
Grand Lodge . I refer you to my speech on that occasion ; I do not propose to supplement what 1 then said by any lengthy remarks , but I may call attention lo the interesting fact connected with the Bengal Masonic Association . I find that during the 10 years which have since elapsed the funds of the Association have been doubled , and the number of children now being educated has risen from 20 to 42 . I take this opportunity of thanking
Right Worshipful Bro . Sir H . T . Prinsep in the name of the Fraternity in the Distiict of Bengal , for again assuming office ; under his rule unity and harmony will reign supreme , and in the history of Freemasonry in India it will bj recorded that , after a rule of 18 years , our District Grand Master , at the call of duty , again assumed office and ruled
the District until he finally retired from India to enjoy a well-earned repose in his native land . It remains for me to say that the work connected with this testimonial has been mainly done by Worshipful Bro . H . M . Rustomjee ; he has indeed worked well and truly , and our best thanks are justly due to to him for his labours . I now call on Worshipful Bro . J . R . Maples to read the address . The Address was read , as follows , b y Bro . J . R . MAPLES ,
P . D . D . G . M .: "The Right Worshipful Brother the Hon'ble . Sir Henry Thoby Prinsep , Kt ., P . M . Nos . 109 , 392 , and 2476 ( E . C . ) , Past District Grand Master of Bengal . " Right Worshipful Sir and Brother , — " When you resigned the office of District Grand Master of Free-Masons in Bengal , in Junr , 1896 , after a rule of eighteen years , it was but a fitting recognition of your services in that capacity that there should
Testimonial To R.W. Bro. The Hon. Sir H- T. Prinsep, Past District Grand Master Of Bengal.
have been a spontaneous desire amongst the large number of Free-Masons in this District to express in some form their appreciation of your devotion to the Craft , and of the tact , ability , and strength with which you have ruled the District . " It is for this purpose that we have gathered together to-day , and have asked you to meet us .
"To an earnest observer and student it cannot but be apparent that Freemasonry in Bengal , during your tenure of office , has made great and substantial progress , and that you have left it in a state of unparalleled prosperity .
"At the time you took charge of the District in 1 S 7 S , there existed a desire amongst the distant Lodges to separate themselves from the Bengal District , but with characteristic tact and energy you faced the position , and in an incredibly short time succeeded in restoring peace and goodwill .
"So far back as 1 SS 0 the beneficial effects of your rule had made themselves strongly and permanently felt . At the March Communication of District Grand' Lodge of that year , you made an exhaustive statement of all that you had done in the interests of the Order . We then find Wor . Bro . J . B . KNIGHT , CLE ., P . D . D . G . Master , proposing a vote of thanks to you for your strenuous and successful efforts towards the good of Free-Masonry , and we here quote a portion of what that distinguished Brother said in his address on that occasion :
When Wor . Bro . PRINSEP was elected District Grand Master , we expected great things from his known ability and his known thoroughness ; but we are more than gratified with the results of that appointment . We have seen Lodges heretofore in a state of disorder brought into order , ~ nd we have seen accounts hitherto neglected now kept in a satisfactory way . The account as to the state of Free-Masonry in Bengal , which has now been placed before you with respect
to the present , is thorough and complete ; and as to the past , as complete as the great industry of a man , occupied in many other ways , can make it . I think that we should not let such a statement as the one we have had placed before us this evening , pass without acknowledging in most cordial terms the gratification it has given us , and the indebtedness under which we stand to our Rt . Wor . Bro . PRINSEP for the work which he has done for Free-Masonry in this Province .
" As evidence of the progress of Free-Masonry in Bengal during your tenure of office of District Grand Master , the following facts are worthy of notice : " When you became District Grand Master in 1878 , the number of Lodges working in the District was 29 ; when you retired in June , iSgo " , there were 41 Lodges on the rolls of District Grand Lodge , all of them in sound work and in a healthy condition .
" The capital of our great Charitable Institution , the Bengal Masonic Association , was at that time Rs . 29 , 000 . It stood in June , 1 S 96 , at Rs .
:, 20 , 000 . " We are indebted to you for the establishment , in March , 18 S 2 , of the Masonic Hall Building Fund , to which the small grant of Rs . 2 , 003 was then first made * out of surplus District Grand Lodge funds other than those of a charitable nature . This fund , under your fostering care , stood on the wth June , 1896 , at R ? . 54 , 000 .
" Such a record is in itself sufficient to show the great interest you have taken in our Order , the characteristic determination and unfailing tact , and above all the keen judgment and clear business capacity , which you have brought to bear upon all subjects connected with Freemasonry in Bengal . " Particularly would we mention the great readiness with which you have at all times been wilting to sacrifice every personal consideration and
convenience when the good of the Order has been at stake . Before your rule Mofussil lodges hardly knew what it was to see District Grand Lodge , or be visited by the District Grand Master . You inaugurated the system of periodically holding communications of District Grand Lodge at various up-country stations , while you have personally visited nearly all the Mofussil lodges , including even those at the greatest distance .
" Since you assumed the rule 01 the District , you have made it a practice to confer annually a liberal number of appointments in District Grand Lodge on brethren of the various Mofussil lodges . " Both these systems , unknown before , have given great satisfaction to the brethren of the Mofussil lodges , evincing to them that their interests are not neglected .
" Another great feature of your administration is the interest you have taken in the Masonic welfare of native brethren ; you have given them every possible encouragement and have impartially bestowed high Masonic offices upon them , thus promoting cordial and friendly feelings . " These are some of the characteristic features of your administration , but we cannot pass unnoticed the uniform courtesy and forbearance you have invariably shown towards brethren who may have placed themselves at any time under your censure .
" We now ask you , Right Worshipful Sir , to accept the accompanying offering from the Masonic community of this District , to be applied as you may desire , and thus serve to remind you of the brethren of the District of Bengal , and of the affection and admiration which your labours amongst them have justly earned .
" We conclude with an earnest wish that T . G . A . O . T . U . may spare you for many years to enjoy long life , health , and all prosperity . " On behalf of the Subscribers , " W . H . Fitze , J . R . Maples , James W . Browne , T . B . G . Overcnd , and H . M . Rustomjee . " Members of the Executive Committee . " Freemasons' Hall , " Calcutta , 16 th February , 189 S . "
Right Worshi p ful Bro . Sir IlENRY PRINSEP replied : Worshipful Bro . Fitze and brethren of lodges in the District of Bcng . il ' : It is impossible for me to express myself adequately , either in response to the too flattering terms in which you have described my rule of this District for 18 years , or in acknowledging the most generous manner in which you have desired to put in a substantial form the satisfaction that I have given yon as
your District Grand Master . It is my intention to carry out your wishes by asking Worshipful Bro . Matthews , who is one of the oldest Past Masters 0 ! one of our Calcutta lodges , and a distinguished ollicer of Grand Lodge , in communication with Lady Prinsep , to select something , both serviceable a no ornamental , for my English home , which may , I hope , for many years ssrvd
to recall the very pleasant and useful years that I have spent as a fellowworker amongst you . 1 have also the great satisfaction in feeling that when absent at your meetings , I am represented in a picture which 11 years ng ° you did me the honour of placing on the walls of Freemasons' Hall among ' my very distinguished predecessors . I am most justly proud at receiving
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An English View Of Freemasonry In America.
meantime we commend the pamphlet , which contains this letter by Bro . SPETH and the notes , and which is published b y J . E . CATES , Tacoma , Washington , U . S . A ., to the notice of our readers in the belief that they will find much to interest them in its pages .
Testimonial To R.W. Bro. The Hon. Sir H- T. Prinsep, Past District Grand Master Of Bengal.
TESTIMONIAL TO R . W . BRO . THE HON . SIR H- T . PRINSEP , PAST DISTRICT GRAND MASTER OF BENGAL .
WE have much p leasure in drawing attention to the testimonial which has been presented to Bro . Sir HENRY T . PRINSEP in recognition of his great services to Freemasonry in Bengal . Having ruled the District for upwards of 18 years , in June , 1 S 96 he grave over charge to his successor , the late Bro . General
Yi-ATMAN-RlGGS , whose lamented death on the . Indian Frontier was announced two months ago . The Past District Grand Master has been called upon to re-assume the government of this widely extended District , and the satisfaction felt by the brethren of the 4 6 lodges under his authority may be estimated from the singular advancement and prosperity which , as set forth in the Address , have marked his exertions during a period of
rule unexampled in an Indian climate . We heartily congratulate the brethren in Bengal on the resumption b y Bro . Sir M . T . PRINSEP of his position as their District Grand Master . The testimonial will take the form of a service of plate . The subscriptions raised by the brethren throughout the District aggregated 8000 rupees , equivalent , at the current exchange , to somewhat over £ 500 .
The presentation was made at Calcutta on Wednesday the 18 th ultimo . The meeting was largely attended , and Bro . W . H . FlT / . E , P . G . D . and P . D . D . G . M ., Bengal , spoke as follows : Right Worshiplul Sir and Brother , —We have met together this evening for the purpose ot presenting to Right Worshipful Bro . Sir H . T . Prinsep a testimonial which has been subscribed to by the different Masonic
bodies and by the Freemasons generally in this District of Bengal . The fcheme fora testimonial was started by our late lamented Right Worshipful B'o . Major-General A . G . Yeatman-Biggs soon after his accession to office as District Grand Master , and the call for subscriptions has been responded to viry liberally , and a sum of Rs . Sooo has been collected . When Sir Henry Prinsep resigned the office of District Grand Master in
June , iS () 6 , the announcement of his retirement was received with great repr . t throughout the District , although it was a source of satisfaction to the bri thren that in Sir Henry Frinsep ' s successor they had a very distinguished and experienced Freemason in the person of our late lamented Bro . General Yiatn an-Biggs . It was certainly never expected by any one that after his re ig-ia'ion and the installation of his successor , it could possibly happen
that Sir Htnry Prinsep should be again called upon to resume office . He did so temporarily , at the request of . our late District Grand Master , during his absence , as his Deputy District Grand Master ; but the fates have decried that he should , by the untimely death of General Yeatman-Biggs , be called upon to re-assume the rule of the District as our District Grand Mas ' er , and thus continue to manage its affairs which had been entrusted to
his care temporarily . While we regret much the sad circumstances which have occasioned this , the re-appointment of Sir Henry Prinsep as District Grand Master has been a source of great satisfaction to the brethren , who feel sure that the success which had marked his former rule of iS years will be continued , and that further good progress will follow . For my own part , brethren , I am disposed to think that nothing could be
more calculated to raise the enthusiasm of the brethren of this District Grand Ledge than the fact that Sir H . T . Prinsep has again out of pure love and devotion to the Craft consented to resume the reins of office . Brethren , I find it necessary to remind you that on a former occasion , on the 24 'h June , 1 SS 7 , more than 10 years ago , I acted in the same capacity as now , when the portrait of our District Grand Master was presented to
Grand Lodge . I refer you to my speech on that occasion ; I do not propose to supplement what 1 then said by any lengthy remarks , but I may call attention lo the interesting fact connected with the Bengal Masonic Association . I find that during the 10 years which have since elapsed the funds of the Association have been doubled , and the number of children now being educated has risen from 20 to 42 . I take this opportunity of thanking
Right Worshipful Bro . Sir H . T . Prinsep in the name of the Fraternity in the Distiict of Bengal , for again assuming office ; under his rule unity and harmony will reign supreme , and in the history of Freemasonry in India it will bj recorded that , after a rule of 18 years , our District Grand Master , at the call of duty , again assumed office and ruled
the District until he finally retired from India to enjoy a well-earned repose in his native land . It remains for me to say that the work connected with this testimonial has been mainly done by Worshipful Bro . H . M . Rustomjee ; he has indeed worked well and truly , and our best thanks are justly due to to him for his labours . I now call on Worshipful Bro . J . R . Maples to read the address . The Address was read , as follows , b y Bro . J . R . MAPLES ,
P . D . D . G . M .: "The Right Worshipful Brother the Hon'ble . Sir Henry Thoby Prinsep , Kt ., P . M . Nos . 109 , 392 , and 2476 ( E . C . ) , Past District Grand Master of Bengal . " Right Worshipful Sir and Brother , — " When you resigned the office of District Grand Master of Free-Masons in Bengal , in Junr , 1896 , after a rule of eighteen years , it was but a fitting recognition of your services in that capacity that there should
Testimonial To R.W. Bro. The Hon. Sir H- T. Prinsep, Past District Grand Master Of Bengal.
have been a spontaneous desire amongst the large number of Free-Masons in this District to express in some form their appreciation of your devotion to the Craft , and of the tact , ability , and strength with which you have ruled the District . " It is for this purpose that we have gathered together to-day , and have asked you to meet us .
"To an earnest observer and student it cannot but be apparent that Freemasonry in Bengal , during your tenure of office , has made great and substantial progress , and that you have left it in a state of unparalleled prosperity .
"At the time you took charge of the District in 1 S 7 S , there existed a desire amongst the distant Lodges to separate themselves from the Bengal District , but with characteristic tact and energy you faced the position , and in an incredibly short time succeeded in restoring peace and goodwill .
"So far back as 1 SS 0 the beneficial effects of your rule had made themselves strongly and permanently felt . At the March Communication of District Grand' Lodge of that year , you made an exhaustive statement of all that you had done in the interests of the Order . We then find Wor . Bro . J . B . KNIGHT , CLE ., P . D . D . G . Master , proposing a vote of thanks to you for your strenuous and successful efforts towards the good of Free-Masonry , and we here quote a portion of what that distinguished Brother said in his address on that occasion :
When Wor . Bro . PRINSEP was elected District Grand Master , we expected great things from his known ability and his known thoroughness ; but we are more than gratified with the results of that appointment . We have seen Lodges heretofore in a state of disorder brought into order , ~ nd we have seen accounts hitherto neglected now kept in a satisfactory way . The account as to the state of Free-Masonry in Bengal , which has now been placed before you with respect
to the present , is thorough and complete ; and as to the past , as complete as the great industry of a man , occupied in many other ways , can make it . I think that we should not let such a statement as the one we have had placed before us this evening , pass without acknowledging in most cordial terms the gratification it has given us , and the indebtedness under which we stand to our Rt . Wor . Bro . PRINSEP for the work which he has done for Free-Masonry in this Province .
" As evidence of the progress of Free-Masonry in Bengal during your tenure of office of District Grand Master , the following facts are worthy of notice : " When you became District Grand Master in 1878 , the number of Lodges working in the District was 29 ; when you retired in June , iSgo " , there were 41 Lodges on the rolls of District Grand Lodge , all of them in sound work and in a healthy condition .
" The capital of our great Charitable Institution , the Bengal Masonic Association , was at that time Rs . 29 , 000 . It stood in June , 1 S 96 , at Rs .
:, 20 , 000 . " We are indebted to you for the establishment , in March , 18 S 2 , of the Masonic Hall Building Fund , to which the small grant of Rs . 2 , 003 was then first made * out of surplus District Grand Lodge funds other than those of a charitable nature . This fund , under your fostering care , stood on the wth June , 1896 , at R ? . 54 , 000 .
" Such a record is in itself sufficient to show the great interest you have taken in our Order , the characteristic determination and unfailing tact , and above all the keen judgment and clear business capacity , which you have brought to bear upon all subjects connected with Freemasonry in Bengal . " Particularly would we mention the great readiness with which you have at all times been wilting to sacrifice every personal consideration and
convenience when the good of the Order has been at stake . Before your rule Mofussil lodges hardly knew what it was to see District Grand Lodge , or be visited by the District Grand Master . You inaugurated the system of periodically holding communications of District Grand Lodge at various up-country stations , while you have personally visited nearly all the Mofussil lodges , including even those at the greatest distance .
" Since you assumed the rule 01 the District , you have made it a practice to confer annually a liberal number of appointments in District Grand Lodge on brethren of the various Mofussil lodges . " Both these systems , unknown before , have given great satisfaction to the brethren of the Mofussil lodges , evincing to them that their interests are not neglected .
" Another great feature of your administration is the interest you have taken in the Masonic welfare of native brethren ; you have given them every possible encouragement and have impartially bestowed high Masonic offices upon them , thus promoting cordial and friendly feelings . " These are some of the characteristic features of your administration , but we cannot pass unnoticed the uniform courtesy and forbearance you have invariably shown towards brethren who may have placed themselves at any time under your censure .
" We now ask you , Right Worshipful Sir , to accept the accompanying offering from the Masonic community of this District , to be applied as you may desire , and thus serve to remind you of the brethren of the District of Bengal , and of the affection and admiration which your labours amongst them have justly earned .
" We conclude with an earnest wish that T . G . A . O . T . U . may spare you for many years to enjoy long life , health , and all prosperity . " On behalf of the Subscribers , " W . H . Fitze , J . R . Maples , James W . Browne , T . B . G . Overcnd , and H . M . Rustomjee . " Members of the Executive Committee . " Freemasons' Hall , " Calcutta , 16 th February , 189 S . "
Right Worshi p ful Bro . Sir IlENRY PRINSEP replied : Worshipful Bro . Fitze and brethren of lodges in the District of Bcng . il ' : It is impossible for me to express myself adequately , either in response to the too flattering terms in which you have described my rule of this District for 18 years , or in acknowledging the most generous manner in which you have desired to put in a substantial form the satisfaction that I have given yon as
your District Grand Master . It is my intention to carry out your wishes by asking Worshipful Bro . Matthews , who is one of the oldest Past Masters 0 ! one of our Calcutta lodges , and a distinguished ollicer of Grand Lodge , in communication with Lady Prinsep , to select something , both serviceable a no ornamental , for my English home , which may , I hope , for many years ssrvd
to recall the very pleasant and useful years that I have spent as a fellowworker amongst you . 1 have also the great satisfaction in feeling that when absent at your meetings , I am represented in a picture which 11 years ng ° you did me the honour of placing on the walls of Freemasons' Hall among ' my very distinguished predecessors . I am most justly proud at receiving