Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
the Sub-Prior , and unanimously agreed to . The Secretary then proposed that that distinguished Christian Mason and Sir Knight , Rob . Jlorris , LL . D ., of Kentucky , U . S ., should be assumed as an Honorary Jleniber of Ayr Priory—in consideration of the great literary ancl other services he had rendered , and continues to render , to the Order of the Temple . In everything connected with Jlasonry , Sir Knt . Jlorris took a prominent part , and his labours for its advancement throughout the world were beyond all
value . The Venerable the Prior felt it an honour to second such a motion as that made by Sir Knt . Lyon . Sir Knt . Jlorris hacl a world-wide fame as a JIasonie author ; ancl no one who read the productions from his pen as published in the Voice of Masonry could fail to discover something of the high intellectual genius of its large hearted and accomplished editor . Should Dr . Jlorris ever visit the land of Burns , he was sure of a Knightly welcome
from the members of this Priory . The motion was most enthusiastically adopted , ancl the Secretary instructed to inform Sir Knight Morris of his being made an Honorary member—the first honorary member ofthe Priory of Ayr . At the conclusion of the business of the evening , and on the Priory being closed , the members partook of a repast kindly provided by Jlajor Thornton , ancl on breaking up all seemed highly pleased with the knightly bearing of their
neivly-electecl Prior , and the courtesy experienced at bis hand . The Encampment had quite a gay appearance—the walls being hung with about a dozen of banners in silk , satin , and cashmerethe gift of Jlajor Thornton—profusely ornamented with crosses , & c , in gold ancl silver lace . Indeed , it is rarely that such a regalia for richness and effect as that of which Ayr Priory can now boast is to be formed in any provincial encampment whatever , —Ai / r Advertiser .
India.
INDIA .
CALCUTTA . INITIATION OE HIS HIGHNESS THE MAHARAJAH DHUXEEP SING . The 13 th of JIarch , 1861 , saw a great and important event in Jlasonry , one which deserves to be recorded , and preserved in the annals of the Order ; namely , the initiation into the Craft , in Lodge Star of the Eastof His Highness the Maharajah Dhuleep Sing .
, It is no exaggeration to state that such a splendid and successful meeting in connection with Jlasonry has never before been witnessed in Calcutta . The lodge ancl banquet-ting hall were crowded with the representatives of all the influential sections of society eager to do honour to the highly distinguished neophyte on this interesting occasion . AA'hen ive reached the Freemasons' Hall , we found the entrance
hung with flags , ancl a scarlet cloth laid on the floor of the covered entrance reaching from the gate to the foot of the stairs . The staircase was hung with flags , ornamental devices , ancl JIasonie hearings , all the way up to the lodge room , on the third floor . To avoid confusion ancl the crush of such a crowded assembly , the brethren were invited , as they arrived , to take their seats in the lodge room . By this arrangement the reception room , when the Maharajah arrived , was occupied only by the dignitaries of the Craft , consisting of the 11 . W . officiating Proi-. G . JL and his Wardens , ancl the AA . JI . ancl P . JI . of the lodge . At the appointed time the
officiating Prov . G . JL and the JIaster of the lodge led the procession into the lodge room , followed by the Grand Officers , and the business of the evening commenced . The degree was administered by the AV . JI . of the lodge , R . AV . Bro . Hugh Sandeinan , C . < S' ., mright excellent style , and in a manner worthy of the occasion . The proceedings having closed , the brethren adjourned to the banquetting hall , and we are bound to say that nothing could possiblhave been in better taste than the style in which the hall
y was decorated with national flags , JIasonie ' banners ancl emblems ; the ornaments and furniture of the table were elegant , rich , nay splendid , ancl the Grancl Officers and the brethren ' seated around the boarcl , many in military uniform , and all in full JIasonie regalia , added to the picturesque effect of the scene . Having got so successfully through their labours in the lodge , and thereafter so effectually " refreshed the inner man , " the AV . JL
proposed to the brethren the first toast , viz ., "The Queen and the Craft . " He alluded to the loyalty of JIasons , and to the fact of Her Jlost Gracious Jlajesty being intimately associated with Jlasonry , from the fact of His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex having been long the ruler of the Craft , anil highly esteemed as such by English JIasons scattered all over the globe ; and he considered that , if it were possible for our Gracious Queen to cast a single thought on us at this remote part of her dominions , it would not be distasteful to her to know that her illustrious name had been
mentioned in connection with our noble institution on such a memorable occasion as the present . The band which was in attendance , and had been performing throughout the evening , played the National Anthem . R . AA ' . Bro . HOWE , the P . JI . of the Lodge , proposed "The R . AV . the G . JL of England , the Earl of Zetland , in a very neat speech . The next toast" The RAVProvGJL and the District Grand
, .. . . Lodge of Bengal , " was given by AA . Bro . Dowleans , the S . W ., ancl was responded to by R . W . Bro . Hoff , who supported the AV . M . on his left , in a very appropriate address . R . AV . Bro . HFG-H SANDEMAN then rose to give the toast of the evening , viz ., " The Health of the newly initiated Bro . JIaharajah Dhuleep Sing" ( Great cheers ) . It would be unnecessary to take up the time of the brethren by recapitulating the antecedents
of their young brother ; it was sufficient to say that he was descended from a Royal ancl illustrious race , ancl sprung from a father whose martial energy and noble characteristics obtained for him the well knoivn soubriquet ofthe " Lion ofthe Punjab , " and who was , during his whole lifetime , the firm and consistent ally of the British Government . The brethren were aware that the JIaharajah had boen for some time domesticated in Englandand he ( Bro .
, Sandeman ) thought it no little compliment to the JIasonie Craft of Bengal , and to the lodge over which he had the honour of presiding , that he should have elected to be initiated into the mysteries aud privileges of the Order during his short stay amongst us in this large capital . It was worthy of remark that , while Dhuleep Sing had been admitted into our ancient and honourable fraternity in Calcuttaanother lodgein
, , the capital of a distant province , hacl lately witnessed a similarly interesting scene in the initiation of a JIaliomedan nobleman , while the Rajah of Kupportulla and his brother Bikrama Singh were about to join our Order at Lahore . He was also glad to see , as a guest on the present occasion , his noble Brother , the Nuwab Zulal-ood-deen , who , as soon as he heard of the intended ceremony of Bro . Dhuleep Sing's initiation , wrote an urgent request to be
permitted to attend both the lodge upstairs and the presentbanquet . AA'ere not these circumstances ample and convincing pi-oofs that Freemasonry is not an institution for any particular sect or nation , for any one country or religion ? Ancl was it not a pleasing thing to know and to feel , that there does exist in tliis world at least one society , where , whatever might be the feelings of race , all could meet as brothers descended from one common parentand join without regard to what was passing in the outward
, world , in the firm and pleasing bond of fraternal love ? Let a man ' s religion or mode of worship be what it may , he is not excluded from the Order , provided he believe in the glorious Architect of Heaven and Earth , and practise the sacred duties of morality . He ( Bro . Sandeman ) deemed it so far , ancl on this account , incorrect to speak of the secrets of Jlasonry , for although undoubtedly there were peculiar signstokensand other means of distinguishing a
, , brother from an unenlightened man , and although there were associations of the most interesting character which knitted brethren strongly and firmly together , yet it was surely a misnomer to call that a secret which was open to every man , of every colour , of every creed , that presented himself at the door of a lodge in a regular manner , backed by the tongue of goocl report and the solemn , invocation of a holy name . The R . AV . Bro . expressed a hope that
as this was a reel lettered day in the history of Lodge Star in the East , so it ivould be a memorable one in the recollections of their young apprentice , that he would not rest satisfied witli merely wearing the apron and carrying with him the title of a Freemason , but that he would be an active and useful member among them , and , without neglecting the ordinary duties of his station , feel himself called on to make a daily advancement in JIasonie knowledge ; and
lastly that , amidst all the distinctions ancl pleasures which were the inevitable accompaniment of his distinguished position in society , he would , when again in a distant land , think something of the brethren of his maiden lodge , who would ever feel the most lively interest in his welfare , ancl who would not suffer him , though out of sight , to be out of mind . ( Loud and continued applause . )
The JIaharajah replied in a few concise hut pointed words , which were received with great enthusiasm . Then followed " Our Visiting Brethren , " by Bro . AVhitten , the Junior Warden ; " The JIaster ancl Officers of Star in the East , " by Rig ht AVorshipful Bro . Hoff Prov . G . JL ; " Success to our Lodge , " by Bro . Boycott , the Secretary ; the Tyler ' s toast , by Bro . Daniel , the Tyler ; and last of allthe final toastaccompanied by the usual
, , song , by Bro . AVhitten , the Junior AVarden . At a little past eleven o'clock , the AA . M . quitted the chair , ancl retired with the Prov . G . JI . the JIaharajah , and several distinguished guests . The party very soon after separated , every one delighted with the events of a most agreeable evening , wliich were not likely soon to be forgotten .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
the Sub-Prior , and unanimously agreed to . The Secretary then proposed that that distinguished Christian Mason and Sir Knight , Rob . Jlorris , LL . D ., of Kentucky , U . S ., should be assumed as an Honorary Jleniber of Ayr Priory—in consideration of the great literary ancl other services he had rendered , and continues to render , to the Order of the Temple . In everything connected with Jlasonry , Sir Knt . Jlorris took a prominent part , and his labours for its advancement throughout the world were beyond all
value . The Venerable the Prior felt it an honour to second such a motion as that made by Sir Knt . Lyon . Sir Knt . Jlorris hacl a world-wide fame as a JIasonie author ; ancl no one who read the productions from his pen as published in the Voice of Masonry could fail to discover something of the high intellectual genius of its large hearted and accomplished editor . Should Dr . Jlorris ever visit the land of Burns , he was sure of a Knightly welcome
from the members of this Priory . The motion was most enthusiastically adopted , ancl the Secretary instructed to inform Sir Knight Morris of his being made an Honorary member—the first honorary member ofthe Priory of Ayr . At the conclusion of the business of the evening , and on the Priory being closed , the members partook of a repast kindly provided by Jlajor Thornton , ancl on breaking up all seemed highly pleased with the knightly bearing of their
neivly-electecl Prior , and the courtesy experienced at bis hand . The Encampment had quite a gay appearance—the walls being hung with about a dozen of banners in silk , satin , and cashmerethe gift of Jlajor Thornton—profusely ornamented with crosses , & c , in gold ancl silver lace . Indeed , it is rarely that such a regalia for richness and effect as that of which Ayr Priory can now boast is to be formed in any provincial encampment whatever , —Ai / r Advertiser .
India.
INDIA .
CALCUTTA . INITIATION OE HIS HIGHNESS THE MAHARAJAH DHUXEEP SING . The 13 th of JIarch , 1861 , saw a great and important event in Jlasonry , one which deserves to be recorded , and preserved in the annals of the Order ; namely , the initiation into the Craft , in Lodge Star of the Eastof His Highness the Maharajah Dhuleep Sing .
, It is no exaggeration to state that such a splendid and successful meeting in connection with Jlasonry has never before been witnessed in Calcutta . The lodge ancl banquet-ting hall were crowded with the representatives of all the influential sections of society eager to do honour to the highly distinguished neophyte on this interesting occasion . AA'hen ive reached the Freemasons' Hall , we found the entrance
hung with flags , ancl a scarlet cloth laid on the floor of the covered entrance reaching from the gate to the foot of the stairs . The staircase was hung with flags , ornamental devices , ancl JIasonie hearings , all the way up to the lodge room , on the third floor . To avoid confusion ancl the crush of such a crowded assembly , the brethren were invited , as they arrived , to take their seats in the lodge room . By this arrangement the reception room , when the Maharajah arrived , was occupied only by the dignitaries of the Craft , consisting of the 11 . W . officiating Proi-. G . JL and his Wardens , ancl the AA . JI . ancl P . JI . of the lodge . At the appointed time the
officiating Prov . G . JL and the JIaster of the lodge led the procession into the lodge room , followed by the Grand Officers , and the business of the evening commenced . The degree was administered by the AV . JI . of the lodge , R . AV . Bro . Hugh Sandeinan , C . < S' ., mright excellent style , and in a manner worthy of the occasion . The proceedings having closed , the brethren adjourned to the banquetting hall , and we are bound to say that nothing could possiblhave been in better taste than the style in which the hall
y was decorated with national flags , JIasonie ' banners ancl emblems ; the ornaments and furniture of the table were elegant , rich , nay splendid , ancl the Grancl Officers and the brethren ' seated around the boarcl , many in military uniform , and all in full JIasonie regalia , added to the picturesque effect of the scene . Having got so successfully through their labours in the lodge , and thereafter so effectually " refreshed the inner man , " the AV . JL
proposed to the brethren the first toast , viz ., "The Queen and the Craft . " He alluded to the loyalty of JIasons , and to the fact of Her Jlost Gracious Jlajesty being intimately associated with Jlasonry , from the fact of His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex having been long the ruler of the Craft , anil highly esteemed as such by English JIasons scattered all over the globe ; and he considered that , if it were possible for our Gracious Queen to cast a single thought on us at this remote part of her dominions , it would not be distasteful to her to know that her illustrious name had been
mentioned in connection with our noble institution on such a memorable occasion as the present . The band which was in attendance , and had been performing throughout the evening , played the National Anthem . R . AA ' . Bro . HOWE , the P . JI . of the Lodge , proposed "The R . AV . the G . JL of England , the Earl of Zetland , in a very neat speech . The next toast" The RAVProvGJL and the District Grand
, .. . . Lodge of Bengal , " was given by AA . Bro . Dowleans , the S . W ., ancl was responded to by R . W . Bro . Hoff , who supported the AV . M . on his left , in a very appropriate address . R . AV . Bro . HFG-H SANDEMAN then rose to give the toast of the evening , viz ., " The Health of the newly initiated Bro . JIaharajah Dhuleep Sing" ( Great cheers ) . It would be unnecessary to take up the time of the brethren by recapitulating the antecedents
of their young brother ; it was sufficient to say that he was descended from a Royal ancl illustrious race , ancl sprung from a father whose martial energy and noble characteristics obtained for him the well knoivn soubriquet ofthe " Lion ofthe Punjab , " and who was , during his whole lifetime , the firm and consistent ally of the British Government . The brethren were aware that the JIaharajah had boen for some time domesticated in Englandand he ( Bro .
, Sandeman ) thought it no little compliment to the JIasonie Craft of Bengal , and to the lodge over which he had the honour of presiding , that he should have elected to be initiated into the mysteries aud privileges of the Order during his short stay amongst us in this large capital . It was worthy of remark that , while Dhuleep Sing had been admitted into our ancient and honourable fraternity in Calcuttaanother lodgein
, , the capital of a distant province , hacl lately witnessed a similarly interesting scene in the initiation of a JIaliomedan nobleman , while the Rajah of Kupportulla and his brother Bikrama Singh were about to join our Order at Lahore . He was also glad to see , as a guest on the present occasion , his noble Brother , the Nuwab Zulal-ood-deen , who , as soon as he heard of the intended ceremony of Bro . Dhuleep Sing's initiation , wrote an urgent request to be
permitted to attend both the lodge upstairs and the presentbanquet . AA'ere not these circumstances ample and convincing pi-oofs that Freemasonry is not an institution for any particular sect or nation , for any one country or religion ? Ancl was it not a pleasing thing to know and to feel , that there does exist in tliis world at least one society , where , whatever might be the feelings of race , all could meet as brothers descended from one common parentand join without regard to what was passing in the outward
, world , in the firm and pleasing bond of fraternal love ? Let a man ' s religion or mode of worship be what it may , he is not excluded from the Order , provided he believe in the glorious Architect of Heaven and Earth , and practise the sacred duties of morality . He ( Bro . Sandeman ) deemed it so far , ancl on this account , incorrect to speak of the secrets of Jlasonry , for although undoubtedly there were peculiar signstokensand other means of distinguishing a
, , brother from an unenlightened man , and although there were associations of the most interesting character which knitted brethren strongly and firmly together , yet it was surely a misnomer to call that a secret which was open to every man , of every colour , of every creed , that presented himself at the door of a lodge in a regular manner , backed by the tongue of goocl report and the solemn , invocation of a holy name . The R . AV . Bro . expressed a hope that
as this was a reel lettered day in the history of Lodge Star in the East , so it ivould be a memorable one in the recollections of their young apprentice , that he would not rest satisfied witli merely wearing the apron and carrying with him the title of a Freemason , but that he would be an active and useful member among them , and , without neglecting the ordinary duties of his station , feel himself called on to make a daily advancement in JIasonie knowledge ; and
lastly that , amidst all the distinctions ancl pleasures which were the inevitable accompaniment of his distinguished position in society , he would , when again in a distant land , think something of the brethren of his maiden lodge , who would ever feel the most lively interest in his welfare , ancl who would not suffer him , though out of sight , to be out of mind . ( Loud and continued applause . )
The JIaharajah replied in a few concise hut pointed words , which were received with great enthusiasm . Then followed " Our Visiting Brethren , " by Bro . AVhitten , the Junior Warden ; " The JIaster ancl Officers of Star in the East , " by Rig ht AVorshipful Bro . Hoff Prov . G . JL ; " Success to our Lodge , " by Bro . Boycott , the Secretary ; the Tyler ' s toast , by Bro . Daniel , the Tyler ; and last of allthe final toastaccompanied by the usual
, , song , by Bro . AVhitten , the Junior AVarden . At a little past eleven o'clock , the AA . M . quitted the chair , ancl retired with the Prov . G . JI . the JIaharajah , and several distinguished guests . The party very soon after separated , every one delighted with the events of a most agreeable evening , wliich were not likely soon to be forgotten .