Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
be returned to the petitioners as the formalities required by the constitutions and the recent circular from Grand Lodge , had not been complied with . The latter application Avill be duly considered . 3 . In order to perpetuate the memory of our late worthy and much-respected District Grand Master among the lodges and brethren of the districta subscription has been set on foot
, for the purpose of our having a portrait of him painted in oil by an English artist—to be suspended in this District Grand Loclge : and of each subscriber having a photograph of the portrait . Liberal contributions are solicited , as it is contemplated to devote the surplus to the formation of Scholarships in connetion with the Madras Masonic Orphan Fund , to be called " Pitt-Macdonald Scholarships . " At present , the following
amounts have been subscribed : — -By Lodge Perfect Unanimity , So . 150 , Rs . 300 : Universal Charity , 273 Rs . 18-1-: St . John , 434 , 260 Hyd . Rupees , or Rs . 22 S 5 a . 4 p . ; Good Will , 465 , lis . 42 ; Victoria in Burmaii , 832 , Rs . 210 ; Bangalore , 1 , 043 , Rs . 84 ; by R . A . Chapter Royal Burmah , under the jurisdiction of Bengal Es . 50 ; by Bro . YV " . H . Hoff , P . D . S . G . W ., Bengal , Ks . 10 ; and , by another Bro . Rs . 500 .
, Applications have also been made to , but as yet no answers received from , the following lodges -. —Rock , 260 ; St . Andrew , 1 , 500 ; Western Star , 1 , 019 ; Anchor of Hope , 1 , 093 . It is expected that the port-rait and photographs will be received in the early part of next year .
4 . With respect to the Madras Masonic Orphan Fund , I have the satisfaction of informing you that on last St . John's ( Evang . ) day in Rangoon , a collection ivas made on its behalf , and about Rs . 200 realised : that an equal amount will probably be added by Bro . Scott as the profits arising from his calendar , and that further contributions will bo received by the end of the year . The committee thus will be prepared to receive applications for incumbents on the fund in January nextwheni t is hoped they
, will be able to commence operations . 5 . Bro . Saunders , D . S . G . W ., who was deputed to visit the various lodges in the district , although tie has not been able to complete his inspection within the year , will yet continue to exercise the powers conferred on him until he has been able to visit all the Lodges within his official range . At our next communication , abstract ; of as many of these reports as may have
been received will be laid before the District Grand Lodge . 6 . Agreeably to the resolution passed at our last communication , the District Grand Secretary has addressed the District Grand Lodges of Bengal and Bombay on the advisability of admitting representatives from the Mofussil Lodges to the communications of the District Grand Lodges , but no reply has as yet been received from either of these District Grand Lodges .
I have no doubt , however , the subject will be duly considered at their next meetings . 7 . Having now detailed what has transpired since our last communication , I must next draw your attention to a few questions which require the earnest consideration of every member of the Craft iu this district .
Iirsfcly , as to Masonic Funerals . —On this point there seems to exist some misunderstanding , and I must remind the W . Masters of Lodges that on no account is a W . Master to assemble his lodge clothed in the insignia of the Order to attend the remains of a deceased brother to the grave , unless assured that such deceased brother expressly desired before death to be so attended , lt must further be recollected , that no one can claim the privilege of a Masonic funeral , unless he be a Master Mason
and a member of an existing loclge . Secondly , as to Masonic Jewels , < £ c . —In reply to a reference made to the Grand Secretary ou this subject , it has been declared that no such decoration as a Master Mason's jewel is authorised by the constitutions or by Grand Lodge : and that no Royal Arch jewel should be worn , except in exact accordance with the pattern laid down in the regulations of the Order . The attention of all W . Masters in the district has been called to these instructions , and I rely upon them to see them properly carried out .
Thirdly , as to Grand Lodge Certificates . —Since February last , no less than five complaints have been received from brethren respecting the non-receipt by them of their Grand Loclge certificates . This should not have been allowed to occur . The initiation fee includes the fee for a Grand Lodge certificate , and any lodge initiating a brother , and not as early as practicable procuring for liim a certificate , is guilty of a double
oflence—an infraction of the Constitutions , ancl an injustice to the newly initiated brother . 1 must , therefore , ask every loclge to be particular in this respect . Fourthly , as to Candidates for the Order . —The report of the Committee of Charity , I am grieved to say , reveals a grave indiscretion committed by one of the lodges in this district , in its having initiated a candidate who could not have been "in
respectable circumstances" at the time . The subsequent conduct of that candidate has clearly proved this . I am confident I need only refer to this case and to the circular of the Grand Master , to put all the lodges in the district on their guard against admitting improper members into the Order . " 3 . The minutes of the communications of the 25 th February ancl 25 th March 1867 , as also the District Grand Treasurer ' s accounts ( showing a balance in favour of the District Grand Lodge of Rs . 467-6-2 , and of the Charity Fund of Rs . 1 . 459-10-3 ) , were read and confirmed .
4 . The District Grand Secretary further submitted a letter from Loclge St . Andrew , No . 500 , Kamptee , reporting that the sentence of exclusion passed on Bro . De Lang , and confirmed by the District Grand Lodge on the 26 th June 1866 , had been reversed , that brother having duly made his submission to the Lodge . It was accordingly proposed by Bro . Charles Scott that the proceedings of Lodge St . Andrew in the matter be confirmed . The motion was seconded bBro . Mills and carried
unaniy mously . 5 . The following report of the Committee of Charity was next read , after which it was proposed by Bro . Fraser , and seconded by Bro . Joyes and carried unanimously , that the report be confirmed and adopted : —
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF CHARITI * or THE DISTRICT GRAND LODGE . The Committee of the Grand Masonic Charity Fund have much pleasure in presenting the following brief statement of their operations since the last Communication of the District Grand Loclge . The following applications for relief and pension have been
disposed of by the committee in the manner reported on each . 1 . From Bro . M . E . Cohen , late of the Bangalore Lodge , to enable him to proceed to Rangoon . A grant of 25 rupees was voted to him for this object . 2 . From Messrs . Parry and Co ., in behalf of Mrs . Evans , widow of a brother of some distinction in the Craft in Bengal , and an honorary member of Loclge Universal Charit * ,, No . 273 , and
whose death had suddenly reduced her ancl her family from a position of great respectability and afiluence to one of comparative poverty . Considering the former circumstances of the applicant , the Committee adjudged that a donation of 100 rupees was not too large to grant towards her relief . And this sum was accordingly forwarded to her . 3 . From the W . M , of Loclge Good Will , No . 465 , Bellary , in behalf of Mrs . Poole , widow of a former member of that lodge . Mrs . Poole had been for some time in receipt of a pension from
the funds of the loclge , but the brethren had been compelled to withdraw this assistance owing to the depressed state of their finances . It was resolved to give her an allowance of seven rupees a month ( equal in amount to the sum drawn by her from Lodge Good Will ) for six mouths , by which time it was hoped that the loclge would be able to restore her name to its list of pensioners . Otherwise , her case would have to he reconsidered .
The committee , in conclusion , regret to report that among the petitions for relief received since the last Communication of the District Grand Lodge , ivas one from a brother who had been initiated only two months before the date of his application , which was presented in the same month in which he hacl been passed to tlie F . C . degree . From this circumstance , the committee submit , the natural inference arises that at the time of
the petitioner ' s initiation be could not have been iu ' -reputable circumstances - " as required by the Constitutions ( p . 84 ) , and the committee consider that the lodge which admitted him into the Order was guilty of a very grave indiscretion in not making proper inquiries regarding him before balloting for him , especially as this duty was all the more incumbent on its members in consequence of the confidential circular issued under instructions from the Deputy District Grand Master / dated 17 th December , ISGU . The committee directed the District Grand Secretary to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
be returned to the petitioners as the formalities required by the constitutions and the recent circular from Grand Lodge , had not been complied with . The latter application Avill be duly considered . 3 . In order to perpetuate the memory of our late worthy and much-respected District Grand Master among the lodges and brethren of the districta subscription has been set on foot
, for the purpose of our having a portrait of him painted in oil by an English artist—to be suspended in this District Grand Loclge : and of each subscriber having a photograph of the portrait . Liberal contributions are solicited , as it is contemplated to devote the surplus to the formation of Scholarships in connetion with the Madras Masonic Orphan Fund , to be called " Pitt-Macdonald Scholarships . " At present , the following
amounts have been subscribed : — -By Lodge Perfect Unanimity , So . 150 , Rs . 300 : Universal Charity , 273 Rs . 18-1-: St . John , 434 , 260 Hyd . Rupees , or Rs . 22 S 5 a . 4 p . ; Good Will , 465 , lis . 42 ; Victoria in Burmaii , 832 , Rs . 210 ; Bangalore , 1 , 043 , Rs . 84 ; by R . A . Chapter Royal Burmah , under the jurisdiction of Bengal Es . 50 ; by Bro . YV " . H . Hoff , P . D . S . G . W ., Bengal , Ks . 10 ; and , by another Bro . Rs . 500 .
, Applications have also been made to , but as yet no answers received from , the following lodges -. —Rock , 260 ; St . Andrew , 1 , 500 ; Western Star , 1 , 019 ; Anchor of Hope , 1 , 093 . It is expected that the port-rait and photographs will be received in the early part of next year .
4 . With respect to the Madras Masonic Orphan Fund , I have the satisfaction of informing you that on last St . John's ( Evang . ) day in Rangoon , a collection ivas made on its behalf , and about Rs . 200 realised : that an equal amount will probably be added by Bro . Scott as the profits arising from his calendar , and that further contributions will bo received by the end of the year . The committee thus will be prepared to receive applications for incumbents on the fund in January nextwheni t is hoped they
, will be able to commence operations . 5 . Bro . Saunders , D . S . G . W ., who was deputed to visit the various lodges in the district , although tie has not been able to complete his inspection within the year , will yet continue to exercise the powers conferred on him until he has been able to visit all the Lodges within his official range . At our next communication , abstract ; of as many of these reports as may have
been received will be laid before the District Grand Lodge . 6 . Agreeably to the resolution passed at our last communication , the District Grand Secretary has addressed the District Grand Lodges of Bengal and Bombay on the advisability of admitting representatives from the Mofussil Lodges to the communications of the District Grand Lodges , but no reply has as yet been received from either of these District Grand Lodges .
I have no doubt , however , the subject will be duly considered at their next meetings . 7 . Having now detailed what has transpired since our last communication , I must next draw your attention to a few questions which require the earnest consideration of every member of the Craft iu this district .
Iirsfcly , as to Masonic Funerals . —On this point there seems to exist some misunderstanding , and I must remind the W . Masters of Lodges that on no account is a W . Master to assemble his lodge clothed in the insignia of the Order to attend the remains of a deceased brother to the grave , unless assured that such deceased brother expressly desired before death to be so attended , lt must further be recollected , that no one can claim the privilege of a Masonic funeral , unless he be a Master Mason
and a member of an existing loclge . Secondly , as to Masonic Jewels , < £ c . —In reply to a reference made to the Grand Secretary ou this subject , it has been declared that no such decoration as a Master Mason's jewel is authorised by the constitutions or by Grand Lodge : and that no Royal Arch jewel should be worn , except in exact accordance with the pattern laid down in the regulations of the Order . The attention of all W . Masters in the district has been called to these instructions , and I rely upon them to see them properly carried out .
Thirdly , as to Grand Lodge Certificates . —Since February last , no less than five complaints have been received from brethren respecting the non-receipt by them of their Grand Loclge certificates . This should not have been allowed to occur . The initiation fee includes the fee for a Grand Lodge certificate , and any lodge initiating a brother , and not as early as practicable procuring for liim a certificate , is guilty of a double
oflence—an infraction of the Constitutions , ancl an injustice to the newly initiated brother . 1 must , therefore , ask every loclge to be particular in this respect . Fourthly , as to Candidates for the Order . —The report of the Committee of Charity , I am grieved to say , reveals a grave indiscretion committed by one of the lodges in this district , in its having initiated a candidate who could not have been "in
respectable circumstances" at the time . The subsequent conduct of that candidate has clearly proved this . I am confident I need only refer to this case and to the circular of the Grand Master , to put all the lodges in the district on their guard against admitting improper members into the Order . " 3 . The minutes of the communications of the 25 th February ancl 25 th March 1867 , as also the District Grand Treasurer ' s accounts ( showing a balance in favour of the District Grand Lodge of Rs . 467-6-2 , and of the Charity Fund of Rs . 1 . 459-10-3 ) , were read and confirmed .
4 . The District Grand Secretary further submitted a letter from Loclge St . Andrew , No . 500 , Kamptee , reporting that the sentence of exclusion passed on Bro . De Lang , and confirmed by the District Grand Lodge on the 26 th June 1866 , had been reversed , that brother having duly made his submission to the Lodge . It was accordingly proposed by Bro . Charles Scott that the proceedings of Lodge St . Andrew in the matter be confirmed . The motion was seconded bBro . Mills and carried
unaniy mously . 5 . The following report of the Committee of Charity was next read , after which it was proposed by Bro . Fraser , and seconded by Bro . Joyes and carried unanimously , that the report be confirmed and adopted : —
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF CHARITI * or THE DISTRICT GRAND LODGE . The Committee of the Grand Masonic Charity Fund have much pleasure in presenting the following brief statement of their operations since the last Communication of the District Grand Loclge . The following applications for relief and pension have been
disposed of by the committee in the manner reported on each . 1 . From Bro . M . E . Cohen , late of the Bangalore Lodge , to enable him to proceed to Rangoon . A grant of 25 rupees was voted to him for this object . 2 . From Messrs . Parry and Co ., in behalf of Mrs . Evans , widow of a brother of some distinction in the Craft in Bengal , and an honorary member of Loclge Universal Charit * ,, No . 273 , and
whose death had suddenly reduced her ancl her family from a position of great respectability and afiluence to one of comparative poverty . Considering the former circumstances of the applicant , the Committee adjudged that a donation of 100 rupees was not too large to grant towards her relief . And this sum was accordingly forwarded to her . 3 . From the W . M , of Loclge Good Will , No . 465 , Bellary , in behalf of Mrs . Poole , widow of a former member of that lodge . Mrs . Poole had been for some time in receipt of a pension from
the funds of the loclge , but the brethren had been compelled to withdraw this assistance owing to the depressed state of their finances . It was resolved to give her an allowance of seven rupees a month ( equal in amount to the sum drawn by her from Lodge Good Will ) for six mouths , by which time it was hoped that the loclge would be able to restore her name to its list of pensioners . Otherwise , her case would have to he reconsidered .
The committee , in conclusion , regret to report that among the petitions for relief received since the last Communication of the District Grand Lodge , ivas one from a brother who had been initiated only two months before the date of his application , which was presented in the same month in which he hacl been passed to tlie F . C . degree . From this circumstance , the committee submit , the natural inference arises that at the time of
the petitioner ' s initiation be could not have been iu ' -reputable circumstances - " as required by the Constitutions ( p . 84 ) , and the committee consider that the lodge which admitted him into the Order was guilty of a very grave indiscretion in not making proper inquiries regarding him before balloting for him , especially as this duty was all the more incumbent on its members in consequence of the confidential circular issued under instructions from the Deputy District Grand Master / dated 17 th December , ISGU . The committee directed the District Grand Secretary to