Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Testimonial To R.W. Bro. The Hon. Sir H- T. Prinsep, Past District Grand Master Of Bengal.
uch hig h testimonials of your approval of my administration as your ruler , nd of your esteem and affection towards me as a brother Freemason . But while a retrospect of the iS years which I have spent amongst you as District Grand Master , recalls the memories of very many happy days nent amongst you , when I look around me , I miss many old familiar faces nf those to whom I owe any success that I may have obtained in that office .
ManVi alas have been lost to us here on earth , while many have left us to return to their homes in England to enjoy the rest and happiness which a lone absence in India so long delayed . But the hearts of our brethren in Eng land are still warm in their affection towards us , and in the active interest that they invariably show in the progress of Freemasonry in Bengal . I fer especially to Right Worshipful Bro . H . D . Sandeman , one of my most
distinguished predecessors , to Worshipful Bro . J . H . Matthews , a Grand Deacon of this District in 18 C 7 , and to Worshipful Bro . Thomas Jones , who first ne ' ° ffice m District Grand Lodge in 1 S 5 G , and was Deputy District Grand Master in 1 SS 4 , and we all rejoice that these very distinguished brethren , as officers of Grand Lodge , fitly represent us at all its meetings . Few amongst those around me were members of the Craft when
I became District Grand Master in 187 S ; perhaps I should congratulate myself that under the vicissitudes of life in this country there should be so manv . Prominent amongst those here present , I welcome Worshipful Bro . Fitze , whose long services as District Grand Treasurer and as Deputy District Grand Master of 1 S 85 , entitle him to special mention , while the mannei in which he has more recently filled the onerous and responsible office of
Honorary Secretary to our excellent Charitable Institution , the Bengal Masonic Institution , has placed us under an obligation that I cannot sufficiently describe . Worshipful Bro . Rustomjee ' s high character and special qualifications attracted my notice in the earliest years of my rule . I consider myself fortunate to have secured his services as District Grand Secretary in 1 S 80 , and he has filled that office without interruption to the present day , to
the satisfaction and admiration of all those with whom he has come into communication . His devotion to the Craft , his undeviating loyalty to me , his perfect business-habits , and his couiteous and genial demeanour have given us a most important executive officer in the affiirs of this District , who could not be surpassed , while his unruffled and admirable good temper has been the best retort to some who have ventured to depreciate and find
fault with his work . The best testimony to his work will be found in the high estimation and affection with which he is justly held by the brethren of our distant lodges , to many of whom he is not personally known . I will not refer to other brethren to whom I am much indebted for their co-operation and assistance ; I would , if time permitted , mention them . But I am specially indebted to Worshipful Bro . Fitze and Worshipful Bro . Rustomjee , who , respectively as Treasurer and Secretary , have
been the executive officers on whom I have relied , and with whom I must share any expressions of success in my administration . But , while I express my acknowledgments to the older brethren who have invariably given me invaluable assistance in the performance of my duties as District Grand Master , let me also join with those brethren , the younger brethren , who have more recently joined our Order , and many of whom , by excellent work , have
already risen to high office . The younger geneiation have admirable examples in their predecessors , and from what they have already done , they have shown that they are equal in zeal and devotion to the Craft , and they promise , after a riper experience , to carry on the duties and rt sponsib'lities which are falling on ihem . Foremost amongst them I would mention Worshipful Bro . Maples and Worshipful Bro . Sarbadhicary . So long as these
qualities are maintained , Freemasonry in this District can never suff . r . Still I must remind them that though under the admirable school established by Worshipful Bro . Thomas Jones— "The Calcutta Emulation Lodge of Improvement "—there has been more correct and regular woik in our cere - monials , it is equally necessary that these brethren should make themselves thoroughly acquainted with our Constitutions and the principles on which
they are founded , and also with the past history of the affairs and resources of District Grand Lodge ; while , above all , they must not lose sight of the interests of our distant lodges , which rarely can be propeily represented at our meetings , and , if neglected , will inevitably secede from us , as they have on more than _ one occasion threatened to do . You have referred to an attempt made in this direction in 1878 , and to my success in repressing it in
us commencement , and in restoring confidence so as to prevent its renewal , lhe origin of this movement was dissatisfaction caused by the neglect of the interests of distant lodges and their members by District Grand Lodge , and by the unseeml y djstussions which used to take place at our meetings in Calcutta . I have been so fortunate as to restore and secure the confidence of these brethren in both respects , and there is really no reason why that confidence
should be disturbed in the future . There always must be f ° r fi 1 ' ° r a chan 2 e amo » gst us ; but inquiries that I have made have satisfied me that , this restlessness is confined to one quarter only , and that a considerable majority of the members of our up-counlry lodges not only see no necessity for any secession , but realise that it would seriously afftct our usefulness and progressand would in all probability not ive them thebenefits which
, g its advocates confidentl y declare will follow . Still this must always be a uanger m the future , but it can be easily averted by care , forbearance , and ine absence of anything which can be called selfishness or neglect of the imerests of those distant brethren . I will not occupy your time much longer , yipugh there is much that I feel inclined to say regarding our affairs in this district and the progress that vou have descrihed . In thk rpK n P n l » i mo
thai ' " ' from circumstances peculiar to us in India , no one can say mZLls § £ , rcss wilI > continue , or even that our present position will be in nnr M ° U wil 1 ' instance , I expect find that from the disturbance -evprll f S ° niC , ? mmunities caused by the frontier wars , the strength of past VP i ? ges and the amount of work done in them during the mcorn > Th conslderab | y suffered so as to cause a diminution in our hut the C ' " ° reason wnv we should not recover from this ; must nPr Pr 0 C M u recovery can never be instantaneous . It ° ncwordm i as S radual as ouv progress has been . of mv mt ;„ .- V say of a somewhat personal character in explanation '" y rcsigntion of lhi > nnir » r n :..:. ir . f / i _ .. , _ r r - 1 luv ric
„ , aHQ aDnrn = ^ l .: „ .. . 'J = > "VJ- " ••» " : » " »» u "' 'ny rc-. ippoinimi .-from nc » d £ d F - " lstalla "on in that office . I wish to explain that it was June , 1806 1 ,. ? ever my connection with you , that I resigned my office in deceased nict ? ? - at lhe P ersonal request of our deeply lamented and desired to qnir- ' j "¦• Masler ' Mai ° r-General Yeatman-Biggs , who lll ; 't his annn , ? me > \ had every confidence in his ability , and I knew in h's favour I fr ^ lf" W 0 . u S satisfaction to all of you , so that by vacating ca pable and HP- » L shuuld be promoting the advancement of a most to his direction u t . other and that our a ( Tairs could safely he entrusted " ¦ on . Unhappil y for us , his sudden dea ' . h has prematurely
Testimonial To R.W. Bro. The Hon. Sir H- T. Prinsep, Past District Grand Master Of Bengal.
deprived us of a very competent ruler . I then was consulted as to the appointment of his successor , and I believe and I hope that I ac > ed as you would desire by placing my services at the disposal of the Most Worsh pfuI Grand Master . I have been much gratified in the interval at receiving from the Masters and Past Masters of many lodges , and nearly all rf them distant lodges , resolutions expressing a wish that I should accept
re-appointment if it was offered to me . I need hardly assure you that my services are always available to promote the interests of our Order , and this manifestation of kindly feeling and confidence in me has touched me as deeply as the events of this evening . Brethren , I thank you one and all from the bottom of my heart , and I sincerely trust that the cordial relations between us wil never be seriously disturbed .
Freemasonry In County Down.
FREEMASONRY IN COUNTY DOWN .
We gather from a report , or pamphlet , which has been compiled b y Bro . FRANCIS C . CROSSLE , Prov . G . Sec . of Down , and in which are recounted the principal events that have occurred during the 10 years—1888 to 18 9 8—that he has been in office
that the brethren have every reason to be gratified with the progress which Freemasonry has made during that period . We note , in the first place , that the number of lodges has increased from 48 in 1 S 8 S to 65 in 18 9 S , while in various localities
increased accommodation has been provided for the working of the Craft b y the dedication of new halls for the use of sundry of the lodges . Of these the Gilford and Ballymacarrett Halls were dedicated b y Bro . Maj . LESLIE THOMPSON , then Dep . Prov . G .
Master in 18 SS . In 1 S 91 the Donaghadee and Rathfriland Halls were consecrated for Masonic purposes , the ceremony being performed in the former case b y the Dep . P . G . M ., and in the latter , b y Bro . HUNTER MOORE , Piov . J . G . W . In 1802 , the Prov . G .
Master—Bro . Lord ARTHUR W . HILL , M . P . —consecrated the Dromore Masonic Hall , and afterwards constituted the Star of West Down Lodge , No . 94 , which occupies it , and is reported to be in a flourishing condition . In July , 18 94 , Bro . LESLIE
THOMPSON , Dep . P . G . M ., consecrated the Maze Masonic Hall , for the accommodation of the brethren of Lodge No . 35 6 , ' which bears the same name , while in September , 1896 , the Rosetta Hall , at Ballynafeigh , was inaugurated , the ceremony ,
in the unavoidable absence of the Prov . Grand Master , being performed b y Bro . JAMES JACQUES , Prov . S . G . W . Two other halls—at Banbridge and Kilkeel—are also in course of being procured by the brethren in those towns , and there is , we are
told , every reason to hope that before another year has passed they will be read y for the reception of the lodges . Thus , in the single Province of Down during the last 10 years , as many as 17 lodges have been constituted and seven Masonic halls
established for Craft purposes , while two others are being got read y for occupation . But these are not the only evidences afforded us of the progress of Masonry in Down and the activity shown by its members . In 18 92 , when the Masonic
Female Orphan School 111 Dublin celebrated the centenary of its foundation the lodges and brethren in the Province were invited to g ive the event all the support in their power towards the bazaar which formed so conspicuous a feature in the celebration ,
the result being that the Province was returned as contributing the sum of £ 253 . Moreover , in February of the following year , steps were taken at the suggestion of Bro . THOMAS CROMIE , of Lodge No . 1009 , for the formation of a Provincial Widows '
Fund , and on the 13 th February , 18 94 , the Committee which had been appointed to assist Bro . CRO . MIE in his benevolent task found themselves in a position to report that the Fund was established and' ever since it has been doing good work in its
own special field of labour . On the 10 th August , 1897 , 't was further resolved that a collection for charitable purposes should be made at the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge so that in every respect our Down brethren have been discharging their duties in a manner which entitles them to
commendation . There are only two or three other circumstances to be mentioned as having been included in this Report of Bro . CROSSLE ' S . In May , 1888 , it was resolved to make a complete revision of the Provincial By-laws , and on
the following 13 th November the Committee chosen to carry out the work , were able to report the conclusion of their labours , and the new code of laws now in force was approved . In
February , 18 9 6 , Bro . Major LESLIE THOMPSON announced his intention of resigning , in consequence of failing health , the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , which he had held fcr
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Testimonial To R.W. Bro. The Hon. Sir H- T. Prinsep, Past District Grand Master Of Bengal.
uch hig h testimonials of your approval of my administration as your ruler , nd of your esteem and affection towards me as a brother Freemason . But while a retrospect of the iS years which I have spent amongst you as District Grand Master , recalls the memories of very many happy days nent amongst you , when I look around me , I miss many old familiar faces nf those to whom I owe any success that I may have obtained in that office .
ManVi alas have been lost to us here on earth , while many have left us to return to their homes in England to enjoy the rest and happiness which a lone absence in India so long delayed . But the hearts of our brethren in Eng land are still warm in their affection towards us , and in the active interest that they invariably show in the progress of Freemasonry in Bengal . I fer especially to Right Worshipful Bro . H . D . Sandeman , one of my most
distinguished predecessors , to Worshipful Bro . J . H . Matthews , a Grand Deacon of this District in 18 C 7 , and to Worshipful Bro . Thomas Jones , who first ne ' ° ffice m District Grand Lodge in 1 S 5 G , and was Deputy District Grand Master in 1 SS 4 , and we all rejoice that these very distinguished brethren , as officers of Grand Lodge , fitly represent us at all its meetings . Few amongst those around me were members of the Craft when
I became District Grand Master in 187 S ; perhaps I should congratulate myself that under the vicissitudes of life in this country there should be so manv . Prominent amongst those here present , I welcome Worshipful Bro . Fitze , whose long services as District Grand Treasurer and as Deputy District Grand Master of 1 S 85 , entitle him to special mention , while the mannei in which he has more recently filled the onerous and responsible office of
Honorary Secretary to our excellent Charitable Institution , the Bengal Masonic Institution , has placed us under an obligation that I cannot sufficiently describe . Worshipful Bro . Rustomjee ' s high character and special qualifications attracted my notice in the earliest years of my rule . I consider myself fortunate to have secured his services as District Grand Secretary in 1 S 80 , and he has filled that office without interruption to the present day , to
the satisfaction and admiration of all those with whom he has come into communication . His devotion to the Craft , his undeviating loyalty to me , his perfect business-habits , and his couiteous and genial demeanour have given us a most important executive officer in the affiirs of this District , who could not be surpassed , while his unruffled and admirable good temper has been the best retort to some who have ventured to depreciate and find
fault with his work . The best testimony to his work will be found in the high estimation and affection with which he is justly held by the brethren of our distant lodges , to many of whom he is not personally known . I will not refer to other brethren to whom I am much indebted for their co-operation and assistance ; I would , if time permitted , mention them . But I am specially indebted to Worshipful Bro . Fitze and Worshipful Bro . Rustomjee , who , respectively as Treasurer and Secretary , have
been the executive officers on whom I have relied , and with whom I must share any expressions of success in my administration . But , while I express my acknowledgments to the older brethren who have invariably given me invaluable assistance in the performance of my duties as District Grand Master , let me also join with those brethren , the younger brethren , who have more recently joined our Order , and many of whom , by excellent work , have
already risen to high office . The younger geneiation have admirable examples in their predecessors , and from what they have already done , they have shown that they are equal in zeal and devotion to the Craft , and they promise , after a riper experience , to carry on the duties and rt sponsib'lities which are falling on ihem . Foremost amongst them I would mention Worshipful Bro . Maples and Worshipful Bro . Sarbadhicary . So long as these
qualities are maintained , Freemasonry in this District can never suff . r . Still I must remind them that though under the admirable school established by Worshipful Bro . Thomas Jones— "The Calcutta Emulation Lodge of Improvement "—there has been more correct and regular woik in our cere - monials , it is equally necessary that these brethren should make themselves thoroughly acquainted with our Constitutions and the principles on which
they are founded , and also with the past history of the affairs and resources of District Grand Lodge ; while , above all , they must not lose sight of the interests of our distant lodges , which rarely can be propeily represented at our meetings , and , if neglected , will inevitably secede from us , as they have on more than _ one occasion threatened to do . You have referred to an attempt made in this direction in 1878 , and to my success in repressing it in
us commencement , and in restoring confidence so as to prevent its renewal , lhe origin of this movement was dissatisfaction caused by the neglect of the interests of distant lodges and their members by District Grand Lodge , and by the unseeml y djstussions which used to take place at our meetings in Calcutta . I have been so fortunate as to restore and secure the confidence of these brethren in both respects , and there is really no reason why that confidence
should be disturbed in the future . There always must be f ° r fi 1 ' ° r a chan 2 e amo » gst us ; but inquiries that I have made have satisfied me that , this restlessness is confined to one quarter only , and that a considerable majority of the members of our up-counlry lodges not only see no necessity for any secession , but realise that it would seriously afftct our usefulness and progressand would in all probability not ive them thebenefits which
, g its advocates confidentl y declare will follow . Still this must always be a uanger m the future , but it can be easily averted by care , forbearance , and ine absence of anything which can be called selfishness or neglect of the imerests of those distant brethren . I will not occupy your time much longer , yipugh there is much that I feel inclined to say regarding our affairs in this district and the progress that vou have descrihed . In thk rpK n P n l » i mo
thai ' " ' from circumstances peculiar to us in India , no one can say mZLls § £ , rcss wilI > continue , or even that our present position will be in nnr M ° U wil 1 ' instance , I expect find that from the disturbance -evprll f S ° niC , ? mmunities caused by the frontier wars , the strength of past VP i ? ges and the amount of work done in them during the mcorn > Th conslderab | y suffered so as to cause a diminution in our hut the C ' " ° reason wnv we should not recover from this ; must nPr Pr 0 C M u recovery can never be instantaneous . It ° ncwordm i as S radual as ouv progress has been . of mv mt ;„ .- V say of a somewhat personal character in explanation '" y rcsigntion of lhi > nnir » r n :..:. ir . f / i _ .. , _ r r - 1 luv ric
„ , aHQ aDnrn = ^ l .: „ .. . 'J = > "VJ- " ••» " : » " »» u "' 'ny rc-. ippoinimi .-from nc » d £ d F - " lstalla "on in that office . I wish to explain that it was June , 1806 1 ,. ? ever my connection with you , that I resigned my office in deceased nict ? ? - at lhe P ersonal request of our deeply lamented and desired to qnir- ' j "¦• Masler ' Mai ° r-General Yeatman-Biggs , who lll ; 't his annn , ? me > \ had every confidence in his ability , and I knew in h's favour I fr ^ lf" W 0 . u S satisfaction to all of you , so that by vacating ca pable and HP- » L shuuld be promoting the advancement of a most to his direction u t . other and that our a ( Tairs could safely he entrusted " ¦ on . Unhappil y for us , his sudden dea ' . h has prematurely
Testimonial To R.W. Bro. The Hon. Sir H- T. Prinsep, Past District Grand Master Of Bengal.
deprived us of a very competent ruler . I then was consulted as to the appointment of his successor , and I believe and I hope that I ac > ed as you would desire by placing my services at the disposal of the Most Worsh pfuI Grand Master . I have been much gratified in the interval at receiving from the Masters and Past Masters of many lodges , and nearly all rf them distant lodges , resolutions expressing a wish that I should accept
re-appointment if it was offered to me . I need hardly assure you that my services are always available to promote the interests of our Order , and this manifestation of kindly feeling and confidence in me has touched me as deeply as the events of this evening . Brethren , I thank you one and all from the bottom of my heart , and I sincerely trust that the cordial relations between us wil never be seriously disturbed .
Freemasonry In County Down.
FREEMASONRY IN COUNTY DOWN .
We gather from a report , or pamphlet , which has been compiled b y Bro . FRANCIS C . CROSSLE , Prov . G . Sec . of Down , and in which are recounted the principal events that have occurred during the 10 years—1888 to 18 9 8—that he has been in office
that the brethren have every reason to be gratified with the progress which Freemasonry has made during that period . We note , in the first place , that the number of lodges has increased from 48 in 1 S 8 S to 65 in 18 9 S , while in various localities
increased accommodation has been provided for the working of the Craft b y the dedication of new halls for the use of sundry of the lodges . Of these the Gilford and Ballymacarrett Halls were dedicated b y Bro . Maj . LESLIE THOMPSON , then Dep . Prov . G .
Master in 18 SS . In 1 S 91 the Donaghadee and Rathfriland Halls were consecrated for Masonic purposes , the ceremony being performed in the former case b y the Dep . P . G . M ., and in the latter , b y Bro . HUNTER MOORE , Piov . J . G . W . In 1802 , the Prov . G .
Master—Bro . Lord ARTHUR W . HILL , M . P . —consecrated the Dromore Masonic Hall , and afterwards constituted the Star of West Down Lodge , No . 94 , which occupies it , and is reported to be in a flourishing condition . In July , 18 94 , Bro . LESLIE
THOMPSON , Dep . P . G . M ., consecrated the Maze Masonic Hall , for the accommodation of the brethren of Lodge No . 35 6 , ' which bears the same name , while in September , 1896 , the Rosetta Hall , at Ballynafeigh , was inaugurated , the ceremony ,
in the unavoidable absence of the Prov . Grand Master , being performed b y Bro . JAMES JACQUES , Prov . S . G . W . Two other halls—at Banbridge and Kilkeel—are also in course of being procured by the brethren in those towns , and there is , we are
told , every reason to hope that before another year has passed they will be read y for the reception of the lodges . Thus , in the single Province of Down during the last 10 years , as many as 17 lodges have been constituted and seven Masonic halls
established for Craft purposes , while two others are being got read y for occupation . But these are not the only evidences afforded us of the progress of Masonry in Down and the activity shown by its members . In 18 92 , when the Masonic
Female Orphan School 111 Dublin celebrated the centenary of its foundation the lodges and brethren in the Province were invited to g ive the event all the support in their power towards the bazaar which formed so conspicuous a feature in the celebration ,
the result being that the Province was returned as contributing the sum of £ 253 . Moreover , in February of the following year , steps were taken at the suggestion of Bro . THOMAS CROMIE , of Lodge No . 1009 , for the formation of a Provincial Widows '
Fund , and on the 13 th February , 18 94 , the Committee which had been appointed to assist Bro . CRO . MIE in his benevolent task found themselves in a position to report that the Fund was established and' ever since it has been doing good work in its
own special field of labour . On the 10 th August , 1897 , 't was further resolved that a collection for charitable purposes should be made at the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge so that in every respect our Down brethren have been discharging their duties in a manner which entitles them to
commendation . There are only two or three other circumstances to be mentioned as having been included in this Report of Bro . CROSSLE ' S . In May , 1888 , it was resolved to make a complete revision of the Provincial By-laws , and on
the following 13 th November the Committee chosen to carry out the work , were able to report the conclusion of their labours , and the new code of laws now in force was approved . In
February , 18 9 6 , Bro . Major LESLIE THOMPSON announced his intention of resigning , in consequence of failing health , the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , which he had held fcr