Freemasonry In England.

During this period , Masonry made rapid progress in India , and many new Lodges were constituted , and supported by the most leading characters in the East . Omdit-ul-Omrah Bahauder , eldest son of the nabob of the Carnatic , was initiated into Freemasonry at the Lodge at Trichinopoly , near Madras , and expressed the highest veneration for the Institution . On the Grand Lodge receiving this report , it determined on sending a

congratulatory letter to his Highness , and also a blue apron , elegantly decorated , with a copy of the Book of Constitutions , superbly bound . The execution of this commission was entrusted to Br . Sir John Day , Advocate-general of Bengal , and in the beginning of 1780 , an answer was received from his Highness , acknowledging the receipt of the present , and expressing his warmest attachment to his brethren in England . This

letter , which is written in the Persian language , replete with genuine good sense and benevolence , was enclosed in an elegant cloth of gold , and addressed" To tie Grand Master 0 / the Grand Lodge of England . " With this peculiar mark of attention the Grand Lodge was highly gratified , and led to a further correspondence , expressing the high opinion the brethren of England entertained of the merits of his Highnessand soliciting his

, continued friendship and protection to the Masonic Institutions in the East . The most appropriate reply to which was made by his initiation of his brother Omur-ul-Omrali , who was afterwards equally active in promoting the interests of the society . An event took place at this time , which was very satisfactory to the society , namely , the uniting this interest of Masonry at Madras . The

divisions and secessions which occurred in England in 1738 , having unfortunately reached India , were happily adjusted by the intervention of Brigadier General Home , who had been appointed by patent from the Duke of Cumberland , Provincial Grand Master on the coast of Coromandel .

A Lodge No . 152 , styling themselves Ancient York Masons , joined a regular Lodge under Ms government , and voluntarily surrendered the irregular warrant under which they had acted . This desirable object having been effected ; the General called upon the brethren to assist him in forming a Grand Lodge , which was earned into effect with great solemnity , and the affairs appointed to the entire satisfaction of all parties .

The Grand Lodge having been regularly established , it was unanimously agreed that a new Lodge should be formed at Madras finder the name of Perfect Unanimity No . 1 . The consecration of this Lodge was performed on Saturday , 7 th of October , 1787 , in commemoration of the happy union which had been adjusted on that day . During the administration of the Duke of Manchester , several Lodges

were constituted in different parts of the country , and considerable additions made to the general funds of the Society . The sums voted to distressed brethren , far exceeded those of any former period , and amongst other sums voted , was 100 / . towards the relief of our brethren in America , who had suffered great losses in consequence of the unhappy war in that country . At a Grand Lodge , held April , 1778 , a singular proposition was made , namely , that the Grand Master and his officers should for the future he