/VS. 048295 d^arttell Itnitietaitg Siibtacg FROM THE BENNO LOEWY LIBRARY COLLECTED BY BENNO LOEWY 1854-1919 BEQUEATHED TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY The date shows when this volume was taken. To renew this book copy the call No. and give to the librarian. HOME USE RULES All Books subject to recall / All bdrrowers must regis- ter in the library to borrow books for home use. All books must be re- turned at end of college year for inspection and ^ repairs. Limited books must be •*•■" returned within the four week limit and not renewed. Students must return all ^^^_ _• books before leaving town. OHicers should arrange for the return of books wanted during their absence from town. ^ Volumes of periodicals and of pamphlets are held in the library as much as possible. For special pur- ^^ _ poses they are given out for a limited time. ' ■ ■ Borrowers should not use their library privileges for '■■• the benefit of otl^er persons. Books of special value and gift books, when the giver wishes it, are not allowed to circulate. Readers are asked to re- port all cjises of books marked or uutilated. Do not deface books by marks (Jid writing. Cornell University Library HS650.B69 S23 History of Lodge "St. Georae' of Bomb^ 3 1924 030 323 731 olin,anx The original of tliis book is in tlie Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030323731 HISTORY OF £oDge"St.6eorgc"o|3ombay. On the Registry of the United Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of England^ COMPILED FROM ORIGINAL SOURCES BY Bro. ISAAC M. SHIELDS, Deputy District Grand Master of Bombay, PUBLISHED BY THE LODGE ON THE OCCASION OF ITS JUBILEE, 1898. THK •■TIMKS OF INDIA" PHBSO, /I rv3 2.2-/- LODGE "St. GEORGE" OF BOMBAY. This lodge was formed under a Charter of Constitu- tion, dated 3rd February 1848, granted by the Earl of Zetland, Most. Worshipful Grand Master of England. The founders of the lodge, were — Lawford Acland^, Charles- Mason Iiines Pollock, William Gratrix Allan, Ambrose Larkworthy, William Brooks, Bruce. Allan. Bremner, Charles Tnmanv Henry Lumsden. The original number of the lodge was 807, but in 1863, when a general closing up of the. Registry of the Grand Lodge took placcj it Ancasrern umbered 549. The original warrant was subsequently lost in the manner detailed in the following letter : — Bombay, 2%thjuly 1856. Rt. Wor. Brother W. H. White, Grand Secretary, Grand Lodge of England, Masons' Hall, London. Rt.. Worshipful Sir and Brother, — 1 am directed by the W. M. of this lodge to apply to you for a dupli- cate warrant under the following circumstances. When the lodge in 1848 applied to the Grand Lodge for a warrant the Grand Master, the Earl of Zetland, was not in England, and consequently a tem- porary warrant was signed and sent by the Grand Secre- tary. A few months afterwards the Formal Warrant, signed by the M. W. Grand Master, came out, which was duly framed and hung up in this lodge, where it remained until the year 1851, when a robbery being committed on the property of the lodge, it was, together with all the valuable silver and other paraphernalia, carried away and lost. This lodge has now, therefore, nothing but the temporary warrant to show to newly initiated brethren, and under these circumstances the W. M. hopes you will kindly furnish this lodge with a duplicate warrant with as little delay as possible. (Signed) W. Trevor Roper, Sec, "St. George's " Lodge, 807. The required warrant of confirmation was forwarded by the Grand Secretary on 3rd October 1856.* Al- though the robbery of the lodge jewels is referred to casually in the minutes of nth October 1852, no men- tion is made therein of the Charter being also stolen. The above letter contains some discrepancies, the rough draft of it in the lodge archives is in the hand-writing of Bro. Lawford Acland, and it is probable that he wrote from memory, which in this case betrayed him into slight inaccuracies in describing the temporary warrant, etc. The original warrant was found by Bro. L M. Shields among a lot of old rubbish at the Freemasons' Hall in 1882, and handed to Rt. Wor. :^rother Tyrrell * According' to Lane's "Masonic Record," pag^e 290, a warrant of confirmation was issued by the Grand Master on 23rd September 1856, the " original warrant being stolen." Leith, District Grand Master, who made it over to the lodge. There is no record in the minute book of the recovery of this important document, nor can the warrant of confirmation be now traced. The Minute Books of the lodge are preserved from its inception, they are seven in number :— No. I — from i8th May 1848 to 27th July 1857. 2 — ,, 26th October 1857 >> 19th June i860. 3 — ,, 19th July i860 ,, 19th April 1870. 4— ,, 17th May 1870 ,, 20th March 1877. 5 — ,, 17th April 1877 ,, 20th May 1879. 6 — ,, 17th June 1879 ,, 20th April 1897. 7 — ,, 15th June 1897 (still in use). The two earliest Minute Books are very irregularly kept, the names of members attending the meetings being omitted, the Minutes generally are unsigned, and in both Minutes and Register the Christian names and former lodges of joining members are seldom entered. The resignation of members is not recorded on the minutes for some years, and the first Register Book up to 1863 simply has the word " resigned " written against the names without any dates. A new Register was opened in that year by Bro. Tyrrell Leith, and from that date both Minute Books and Register are carefully and neatly kept. ;iCOPY OF WARRANT^ ZETLAND, G. M. TO ALL AND EVERY OUR RIGHT "WORSHIPFUL, WORSHIPFUL, AND LOVING BRETHREN. We, Thomas Dundas, Earl of-Zetland, Baron Dundas of Aske^ in the County of York, &c., &c. Grand master OTtheMost Antient and Jionorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of Eng-land : Send Greeting : know ye that We by the Autho- rity and under the sanction of the United Grand Lodge of England vested in us for that purpose and at the humble jietition of our Right Trusty and well beloved brethren, Lawford Acland, Charles Mason Innes Pollock, William Gratrix Allan, Ambrose Larkworthy, William Brooks, Bruce Allan Bremner, Charles Inman and Henry Lumsden, do hereby constitute the said brethren into a lodge of Free and Accepted .Masons under the title or denomination of Tsfo. 807 cire £odse St. e^orae or Bombap. The said lodge to be held at Bombay in the East Indies empower- ing the said Lodge when duly congregated to make pass and raise J'reemasons according to the antient custom of the Craft in all ages and JNations throughout the known world And further at their said petition iind of the great trust and confidence reposed in every of the above flamed brethren W.e do appoint the said Lawford Acland to be the first Mastee, the said Charles Mason Innes Pollock to be the first Senior Warden, and the said William Gratrix Allan to be the first Junior Warden, for opening and holding their lodge And until such time as ^mother Master shall be regularly elected and installed, strictly charg- ing that every member who shall be elected to preside over the said Lodge and who must previously have served as Warden in a Warranted Lodge shall be installed in antient form and according to the Laws of the Grand Lodge that he may thereby be fully invested with the Digni- ties and Powers of his office And We do require you the said Lawford Acland to take special care that all and every the said Brethren are or have been regularly made Masons and that you and they and all other the members of the said Lodge do observe, perform and keep the Laws, Rules and orders contained in the Book of Constitutions and all others which may from time to time be made by our Grand Lodge or trans- mitted by Us or Our Successors, Grand Masters or by Our Deputy Grand Master for the time being And we do enjoin you to make such By- laws for the g-overnment of your Lodge as shall to the majority of the members appear proper and necessary, the same not being contrary to or inconsistent with the General Laws and Regulations of the Craft, a copy whereof you are to transmit to Us and We do require you to cause all such By-laws and regulations and also an account of the proceedings in your lodge to be entered in a book to be kept for that purpose, and you are in no wise to omit to send Us or Our Successors, Grand Masters or to the Right Honorable Charles Anderson Worsley Pelham, Earl of Yarborough, Baron Yarborough, Baron Worsley, &c, &c., Our Deputy Grand Master, or to the Deputy Grand Master for the time being, at least once in every year a List of the members of your Lodge and the names and descriptions of all Masons initiated therein and Brethren who shall have joined the same with the fees and monies payable thereon, it being Our will and intention that this Our Warrant of constitution shall continue in force so long only as you shall conform to the Laws and Regulations of our Grand Lodge And you the said Lawford Acland are further required as soon as conveniently may be to send Us an account in writing of what shall be done by virtue of these presents. Given under Our Hand and the Seal of the Grand Lodge at London, this 3rd February A. L. 5848, A. D. 1848. By command of the M. W. the Grand Master, YARBOROUGH, D. G. M. WILLIAM H. WHITE, G. S. The first meeting of the lodge was held on i8th May 1848, when the following brethren were present : — Ambrose Larkworthy, William Gratrix Allan, William Howard, Lawford Acland, Charles M. I. Pollock, Bruce A. Bremner, Spencer Compton, William Brooks, Charles Thompson, Lewis A. Wallace. A dispensation from the Grand Lodge of England was read as follows : — Zetland, G. M. TO ALL AND EVERY OUR RIGHT WORSHIP- FUL, WORSHIPFUL, AND LOVING BRETHREN. We, Thomas Dundas, Earl of Zetland, Baron Dundas of Aske in the County of York, &c., &c., &c.. Grand Master of the Most Antient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of England. Send Greeting No. 807. Whereas a petition sig:ned by our Right Trusty and well beloved brethren Lawford Acland, .\mbrose Larkworthy, Charles Mason Innes Pollock, William Gratrix Allan, William Brooks, Bruce Allan Bremner, Charles Inman, and Henry Lumsden, and duly recommend- ed, hath been recommended to us praying- for a Warrant of Constitution authorizing them and their successors to open and hold a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at Bombay in the East Indies, the prayer of which petition we have thought proper to grant, but in consequence of the absence of our Deputy Grand Master from England such Warrant cannot receive his signature in the form prescribed by us and Our Predecessors, Grand Masters, and We being desirous that the petition- ers should not be delayed in commencing their labours, do accordingly authorise and empower them the said Lawford Acland, Ambrose Lark- worthy, Charles Mason Innes Pollock, William Brooks, William Gratrix Allan, Bruce Allan Bremner, Charles Inman, and Henry Lumsden to assemble as a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons under the title or denomination of The Lodge St. George of Bombay at Bombay afore- said on such days as may be fixed by the By-laws to be made for the government of the said Lodge when duly congregated to make, pass, and raise Freemasons according to the antient custom of the Craft in all Ages and Nations throughout the known world, and further at the Petition of the said Brothers and of the great trust and confidence reposed in them We do appoint the said Lawford Acland to be the first Master, the said Charles M. I. Pollock to be the first Senior Warden, and the said William Gratrix Allan to be the first Junior Warden, for opening and holding the said Lodge, and until such time as another Master shall be regularly elected and installed in conformity with the By-laws of the Lodge, and the General Laws of the Craft, And do require the 7 Brethren when duly assembled to make By-laws for their future g-overnraent, and without loss of time to transmit a, copy thereof for our approval. This Warrant or Dispensation is to continue in force eighteen calendar months from this day or until Our further Warrant as above stated shall be made out and transmitted to the Petitioners and for no longer period. Given under Our Hand and Seal at London this 3rd day of Feb- ruary, A. L. 5848, A. D. 1848. By command of the M. W. Grand Master, the Right Hon'ble the Earl of Zetland, (Sd.) WILLIAM H. WHITE, G.S. Bro. Lawford Acland was then conducted to the chair of the Lodge by Bro. Past-Master Larkworthy.* Thfe W. M. then directed the Senior and Junior Wardens to take their respective positions by virtue of the dispensa- tion, and proceeded to open the lodge in the first degree. The other officers were then appointed : — L. A. Wallace, S. D. Chas. Thompson, J. D. Wm. Brooks, Treas. &Sec. C. A. Johannes, Tyler. Each of the Brethren present contributed Rs. 100 toward the preliminary expenses of the lodge. Mr, Edward Penn was then initiated, being the first Mason made in the lodge. At the following meeting the Junior Warden pre- sented a sword for use of the Inner Guard, for which he was thanked by the lodge. 20ih November. — A letter was read from the R. W. Bro. James Burnes (Provincial Grand Master under Scotland), in reply to an invitation to attend the meeting * As no mention of any Installation ceremony is made it is presumed Bro. Acland had passed the chair previously in another lodge. 8 that day. After consideration it was resolved : — " That the lodge sincerely regrets the unbrotherly spirit evinced by the reply of R. W. Brother Burnes to their invitation as tending to the disunion of the fraternity in Bombay. That it was not thought necessary to consult Bro. Burnes on the formation of a lodge it was always intend- ed should be worked under the Grand Lodge of England, but the members of the lodge ' St. George ' wholly disclaim any intention of disrespect either to the Rt. Wor. Brother himself, or to the distinguished situation he fills in the craft, for which reason at the time the Warrant was applied for a letter was written to the Rt. Wor. Brother apprizing him of the fact, to which no reply was made ; they still, however, trust that the members of Lodge ' Perseverance,' over which they are informed the Rt. Wor. Brother has been elected to preside, and the members of Lodge ' St. George ' will long continue to work together with that harmony which should always characterise Masons." A Committee was appointed to superintend the supply of wine to the Lodge; another Committee was appointed to consider the question of building a suitable place for the lodge to meet in. At the meeting on i8th December the question of opening a Royal Arch Chapter in connection with the lodge was discussed, but no decision come to. /(S/p. igth February. — A subscription amounting to Rs. 130 was raised among the members, supple- mented by Rs. 70 voted from the Lodge funds to enable the Tyler> Bro. Johannes, to bring his family from Madras. •zyd April. — Bro. Lawford Acland was unanimously- elected as W. M. for the ensuing year. No meetings were held during May and June on account of the heat, ■and for some years the meetings were held rather irregularly. In July a sum of £^ was transmitted to London for the "White Testimonial Fund." It was resolved : " That the balance of Rs. 50 of the entrance subscription of original members should be retained in hand ; that all other members should pay up Rs. 50, and that the entrance fee for the future should be Rs. 100." The minutes contain no record of the appointment of officers, but the " Bombay Calendar and Almanac " for 1850 gives the list as under : — W. M. Lawford Acland, P. M. Wm. Brooks, S. W. Edward Penn, J. W. Wm. Acland, Treas. and Secy. Wm. G. Allan, S. D. Harry Phipps, J. D. Rowland Hamilton, I. G. H. H. James, Tyler Craig. And from the same source are extracted the following : — BY-LAWS Of the Lodge St. George of Bombay. 1. The lodge to consist of thirty members, or such other number as may from time to time be agreed upon. 2. The lodge to be held on the third Monday in every month, at such time as may be named in the summons, and the Brethren will dine together when their work is finished. ro 3. The Master shall have power to summon a lodge of Emergency on any occasion, and the proceedings of such lodge as to initiations, passings, raisings, and other business, shall be deemed equally valid as the Proceed- ings on regular lodge nights. 4. At every- meeting of the lodge the minutes of the last lodge shall be read for confirmation. 5. The Master shall be ballotted for on the lodge night in April, and installed the next lodge night ; and on the lodge night in April a Committee of three shall be appointed, of which the Master elect shall be one, to examine and report on the accounts of the Treasurer^ who shall be elected in May. 6. Every member shall, in the months of May,. August, November, and February, pay into the hands of the Treasurer for the use of the lodge the sum of Rs. 25 ; and any member admitted after the first lodge night of the quarter shall pay in proportion to the time to elapse between the date of his admission and die next period of subscription ; but members who are absent from Bombay for more than one month, or for tn^o con- secutive lodge nights shall be allowed a proportionate reduction from their next subscription. 7. Joining members, being Master Masons, shall pay an entrance fee of Rs. 50. Candidates joining the lodge shall pay an entrance fee of Rs. 1 50, for which they shall receive the three degrees. Entered apprentices joining the lodge shall pay Rs. 1 20, for which they shall receive the tw^o degrees ; and fellow crafts joining the lodge shall pay Rs. 80 : — but noa-resident members 11 shall only pay a joining fee of Rs. 5 to be increased to Rs. 50 on their afterwards at any time becoming resident members ; and a non-resident member wishing to take a degree shall pay for initiation Rs. 75, for passing Rs. 45, and for raising Rs. 55 ; and the sub- scription of a non-resident member shall be Rs. 5 per ^annum. 8. No member shall be eligible for office, or be entitled to vote in the lodge, unless his subscription be cleared. 9. That any resident member being six^roonths in -arrear, and any non-resident member being eighteen ■months in arrear shall be struck off the li^t of members of the lodge. -,.■''. 10. Any person proposed as a rriember shall be ballotted for at the next meeting of the lodge, and two black-balls shall -exclude any gentleman proposed as a member. 11. When any motion is made for making a new law, or for altering any of the existing laws, such motion ^hall be made in writing, and delivered to the Master ; -and no new law, or alteration in any existing law, shall be made unless the same is duly proposed, seconded, and carried by a majority of at least two-thirds of the members present at one meeting, and ^confirmed by a like majority at the next meeting. 12. The cash, jewels, furniture, and all other appendages of the lodge shall be vested in, and deemed the property of, the three principal officers of the lodge, and the Treasurer for the time being, for the use of the 12 lodge, and to be applied and disposed of as the majority of members present in open lodge shall from time to time think proper to direct. 13. That the funds of the lodge shall be paid into the Oriental Bank, or such other Bank as may from time to time be agreed upon, in the joint names of the Master and the Treasurer for the time being. 14. That any member of the lodge shall be at liberty to invite one brother to the banquet, but shall, if possible, give notice of his intention the day before the meeting to the Master, and shall pay into the hands of the Trea- surer, Rs. 10. 18^0. In January an attempt was made to obtain the appointment of a Provincial Grand Master. Rt. Wor. Brother Burnes having left India had appointed Bro. P. W. LeGeyt as Provincial Grand Master of Western India under Scotland, but that Brother and the local Grand Lodge were of opinion that the nomination was void, Rt. Wor. Bro. Burnes having no power to confer his authority upon any person, and that therefore there was no Provincial Grand Lodge in existence on this side of India. It was therefore proposed by "St. George " that Bro. LeGeyt should be recommended to the Grand Lodge of England for the appointment of Provincial Grand Master, and a deputation consisting of the Master and Wardens was appointed to confer with the other lodges in Bombay (Lodge " Perseverance," No. 351, and "Rising Star of Western India," No. 342,) to concert measures for this purpose. The idea fell through as the other lodges wished only to obtain a confirmation of Bro. LeGeyt's powers from the Grand Lodge of Scotland. 13 x'jth June.— Bro. C. M. I. Pollock, who had been elected W. M. at a previous meeting, was placed in the chair, the ceremony of installation being omitted as he had already filled the chair of another lodge. The officers' chairs were filled by T. L. Jenkins, S. W. Wm. G. Allan, Treasurer and Secretary. R. Hamilton, J. W. H. R. Burn, S. D. A. B. Craig, Tyler. t^th July. — Bro. Acland, I. P. M., presented a set of Tracing Boards. The accounts of the year were read and passed. A sum of Rs. loo was voted for the relief of a distressed Brother. No meetings were held from October to December, "owing to the severe illness and sudden departure of Bro. Allan, the Secretary, in whose rooms the lodge meets." i8^i. Sth April. — A sum of Rs. 200 was voted to assist the children of the late Bro. Larkworthy, Past- Master, and a founder of the lodge. Only four meetings were held this year. There is no record of the appoint- ment of Officers. Complaints were made of the quality of the champagne supplied to the lodge. 18^2, I ^th January. — It was agreed that the rooms of Bro. Pollock in the Fort, at which the lodge had met during the past year, should be retained for the lodge at a monthly rental of Rs. 40. No meetings were held from April to September. nth October. — Six members were present, this being the first time the names of brethren attending are entered in the minutes of proceedings. It was reported that the H lodge jewels and plate had been stolen on the night of 1 6th March. Bro. Wm. Brooks was elected as Master. The next meeting was held jrdjammry 1853, when, after some desultory conversation regarding the replace- ment of the jewels, the non-attendance of members, etc. , it was- decided to meet occasionally, so as to preserve the lodge " until such time as the members thought fit to resume work regularly, which it was hoped could be done as soon as several members, then absent in Eng- land, should return." The next record is dated 2'jth February 18^3, the lodge having been quiescent in the interval. At this meeting Bros. Acland, P.M., Pollock, P.M., Walmsley, Kempthorne, J. G. Hamilton Brown, and two visitors were present. 13 brothers were elected as joining mem- bers "by acclamation." The joining fee was reduced from Rs. 100 to Rs. 50 as a special case for these brethren. The Treasurer reported having Rs. 700 in hand. i:\th March. — Bro. Lawford Acland was elected as Wor. Master, and installed in that office for remainder of current year. The following officers were invested: — \V. M. Elles, S. W. John Fleming, S. D, G. J. Bowyer, J.W. R. B. Barton, J. D. J. G. H. Brown, Treas. Michael Scott, I. G. G. J. Rimington, Sec. H. Hazell, Tyler. Bro. Barton presented a book of Masonic Music, called " Lyra Masonica," for which he was thanked. It was decided that future meetings should be held at the Masonic Hall, Colaba, if a suitable day could be 15 arranged with the Secretary of the "Masonic Conven- tion," in which body had been vested the management of the Scottish Freemasons' Hall since 1853. It was also decided to hold the meetings on the 25th of each month, and if that day fell on Sunday, to meet the Mon- day following. 2^th April. — The lodge met at Colaba for the first time. It was resolved to pay lodge "Perseverance" Rs. 25 per quarter for the use of their dinner kit. The lodge appears to have met regularly for the re- mainder of the year, and candidates were introduced, or degrees conferred, at every meeting. 1856. 2^th January. — Bros. Nelson Howard and G. J. Rimington tendered their resignations : being the first occasion note is made of any resignations on the minutes. 2.^h March. — A sum of Rs. 200 was voted as this lodge's share of the purchase of an harmonium for use in the Hall. 2$th April. — Bro. G. R. Ballingall was elected as W.M., and with Bros. Kempthorne and Bowyer were appointed an Audit Committee to examine the Trea- surer's accounts. This is the earliest record of such a Committee being appointed, although specified in the original by-laws. It has ever since been annually ap- pointed and recorded on the minutes. 2^th June. — The proceedings of this day are inter- esting, and merit transcribing in full, as having reference to the vexed question of the secession of Lodge ' ' Perse- verance " from the English constitution in 1842. i6 «' The W. M. requested the Secretary before pro- ceeding to the business of the day to read some com- munications from the Secretary of Lodge ' Perseverance ' conveying to the members of ' St. George ' some resolu- tions passed in the former lodge on the 24th of the current month having reference to a letter, dated i6th May 1855, addressed by the W. M. of Lodge 'St. George' to the W. M. of Lodge ' Perseverance,' sug- gesting that ' Perseverance ' should discontinue work- ing under the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and return to its allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England ; — ^which resolutions were to the effect that the said letter of the W. M. of ' St. George ' never having been laid before Lodge ' Perseverance ' by the late Master, Rt. Wor. Bro. Cartwright, and having been only lately discovered and submitted to that lodge by its present W. M., the lodge had not had an apportunity of replying to it earlier, but that they now did so, and while repudiating the reply of the late W. M. Cartwright as not expressing the sentiments of the lodge, could not find words strong enough to express their surprise and indignation at the suggestion of the W. M. of ' St. George ' in wishing them to withdraw their allegiance from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and stating that he was in error in suppos- ing that ' Perseverance ' ever held a warrant from the Grand Lodge of England. Furthermore that the W. M. elect of Lodge ' St. George ' having expressed his dis- approbation of the said letter was exonerated from blame, but that the letter together with the resolution of Lodge ' Perseverance ' thereon, would be forwarded to the Grand Lodge of Sctland to adopt such measures as it may think fit and proper." A further letter from the Secretary of Lodge " Perse- verance " was read to the effect that " Bro. L. Acland, 17 the W. M., and Bro. G. F. Rimington, the Secretary, of Lodge ' St. George ' were guilty of stating that which is not the fact in the said letter." The W. M. Bro. Acland said that with reference to such portions of the resolutions of Lodge 'Perseverance' as alluded to him it had always been the custom for the W. M. to put for- ward such business, from time to time, as he considered ijeneficial to the lodge on his own responsibility, without it being considered necessary to consult the lodge before so doing, and that in this instance the proposal that Lodges ' St. George ' and ' Perseverance ' should in future work under the same Grand Lodge appeared so naanifestly advantageous that he did not consider it re- quisite to wait for a meeting of the lodge before making it. Bro. Ballingall, the W. M. elect, protested against the interpretation sought to be put on his remarks in Lodge ' Perseverance ' when the question was brought forward. He was personally adverse to the secession of any lodge from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, having been initiated under that constitution, but he empha- tically repudiated the construction placed upon his words. After some desultory conversation it was un- animously resolved that communications of such an objectionable nature and unmasonic spirit as those under discussion were unworthy of any notice." The following is the whole correspondence referred to in the above excerpt of the minutes ; — Bombay, 15/^ May 1855, To H. D, Cartwright, Esq., Worshipful Master, Lodge ' Perseverance,' Bombay, Worshipful Sir and Brother, — I am directed by the Worshipful Master of Lodge •'St, George,' 3 i8 Bombay, to express to you the wish entertained by that lodge for the appointment by the Grand Lodge of England under its constitution of a Provincial Grand Master for Western In-Ka, and also that in the applica- tion to the Grand Lodge to make this appointment Lodge ' Perseverance ' leaving the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and applying for a renewal of the charter which it for- merly held from that of England, should join Lodge ' St. George.' I am directed to request that if this proposi- tion should be entertained by the members of Lodge ' Perseverance,' you will be kind enough to propose some time convenient to you for the W. M. and officers of both lodges to meet at the Masonic Hall to consider the same, and the best measures for carrying it into effect. I have the honor to be, &c., (Sd.) G. F. RiMixGTox, Secretary, Lodge ' St. George.* To G. F. RiMiNGTON, Esquire, Secretary, Lodge 'St. George,' Bombay. Dear Sir and Brother, — I have been directed by the W. M. of Lodge ' Perseverance' to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the/6th ultimo, on the sub- ject of the wish of the W. M. of Lodge 'St. George' that an application should be made to the Grand Lodge of England for the appointment of a Provincial Grand Master for Western India, and suggesting that Lodge ' Perseverance ' should cease holding of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and join Lodge ' St. George' in the application. 19- In reply I' am requested to state that the W. M. of Lodge ' Perseverance ' has given the matter his most serious consideration, and has consulted with some of the elder members of the lodge who are acquainted with the circumstances under which Lodge ' Perseverance " first came to. hold of the Grand Lodge of Scotland ; and' from the evidence thus obtained he has arrived at the opinion that were ' Perseverance '' to recede fronr its present holding it would do so without any grounds of propriety or valid, reasons for such a step. The W. M. begs me to add that, with the. exceptiotu of Lodge ' St. George,' all the lodges in Western India hold of the Grand Lodge of Scotland;* and he thinks that, satisfied as they are with its rule, none of them would desire to change. It also appears, to the W. M. that the Grand Lodge of England, would scarcely appoint a Provincial Grand Master in Western India knowing that an officer of that rank already holds of the Grand Lodge, of Scotland, It being generally understood' that it is unadvi'sable to have two presiding Grand Officers of the same rank in the same Province ; and' this arrangement, he believed, stands as a matter of courtesy between the sister Grand Lodges.- I remain, etc., (Sd.) W. B. FELLOWS, Secretary, Lodge 'Perseverance.' CoLABA, \6th June 1855. Lodge 'Orion in the West," Poona, was at that time in abeyance. 20 Lodge ' Perseveranxe,' No. 351, Bombay, 24/A June i856» W. T. Roper, Esquire, Secretary, Lodge 'St George/ Bombay. Sir and Brother, — At a meeting of Lodge * Per- severance ' held on the 21st instant, it was resolved that you be addressed as follows with reference to the letter of the form«- Secretary of Lodge ' S*. George,' dated the i6th of May 1855. *' IS*. That the said letter having never been sub- mitted to lodge ' Perseverance ' by the late W. M., Rt, Wor. Brother H. D. Cartwright, and having only recently been discovered amongst the records and sub- mitted to the lodge by its present W'or^ipful Master, this lodge has not had an opportunity of replying to it earlier. *' 2nd. That this lodge repudiates the reply of the late Worshipful Master, sent through the Secretary under date the i6th June 1855 as not expressing its sentiments thereon. " 3rd. That this lodge never held a warrant from the Grand Lodge of England. "4th, That this lodge is unable to find words strong enough to express its surprise and indignation at the conduct of lodge ' St. George ' in proposing to this lodge to withdraw its allegiance from the Grand Lodge of Scotland from which it hails, and under whose truly Masonic Banner it is only too proud to range . itself. 21 " 5th. That the Worshipful Master elect of Lodg-e •"St. George ' having expressed his disapprobation of the said letter in open lodge this lodge exonerates him from all blame in respect thereof. " 6th. That the said letter and this resolution will be sent to the Grand Lodge of Scotland by the next mail to enable that Grand Lodge to adopt such measures as to it may seem fit and proper. " I am, etc., (Sd.) J. G. Lawrence, Secretary, Lodge " Perseverance." Lodge 'Perseverance,' No. 351, Bombay, 2/^hJune 1856. To THE Secretary, Lodge ' St. George,' Bombay. Dear Sir and Brother, — By desire of the Wor- shipful Master of Lodge ' Perseverance,' I have the honor to subjoin for your information copy of a resolu- tion passed at an adjourned meeting of the lodge held last evening. " Proposed by Worshipful Brother O'Mealy, second- ed by Brother Mills, and carried unanimously ; — " That Right Worshipful Brother G. R. Ballingall having stated to this lodge as his ' impression and belief, ' that the proposition for this lodge to secede from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, made in the letter from the former Secretary of Lodge ' St. George,' under date the i6th May 1855, was made without the knowledge or concurrence of Lodge ' St. George, ' and was known 22 only to Rt. Won Brother H. D. Cart^vright, to the Worshipful Master, and to the Secretary of Lodge ' St. George,' and having repeated his said statement after having heard the said letter of the i6th May 1855, read a second time, and the said statement being tantamount to a statement on the part of Rt. Wor. Brother G. R. Ballingall that it is his ' impression and belief that Wor. Bro. L. Acland, the W. M., and Brother G. F. Riming- ton, the former Secretary of Lodge ' St. George,' are guilty of having stated that which is not the fact in the said letter, the same be communicated to Lodge ' St. George,' to Wor. Brother L. Acland, and to Brother G. F. Rimington for their information." (Sd.) J. G. Lawrence, Secretary, Lodge ' Perseverance.' The discussion on this subject being ended, the W. M. elect, Bro. George R. Ballingall, was placed in the chair, and he then invested his officers : — ■ G. J. Bowyer, S. W. 1 Michael Scott, S. D. R. B. Barton, J. W. j J. Macfarlane, J. D. W. Trevor Roper, Secretary. A letter was read from Bro. Yuill resigriing member- ship, whereupon it was proposed that he be asked to reconsider the matter, "as the presence of a Medical man in case of accident was considered imperative at the banquet, and that Bro. Yuill be appointed to the Post of Medical Adviser to the lodge during its meetings, which resolution was carried with great acclamation, and the Secretary was requested to convey the pleasing intelligence to Bro. Yuill." Apparently Bro. Yuill was proof against these blandishments as he ceased to attend the lodge thereafter. 23 The meeting of 25th August 1856 was held at Bro. Brown's rooms in the Fort, and the following meetings were held at Bro. Sillar's residence, Castle Dangerous, Malabar Hill. On 26th September the W, M. remark- ed, on a candidate being proposed, "that he trusted the custom hitherto prevailing in the lodge, of brethren who had any o>bjection to names put up, either as joining members or for initiation, stating their objections pri- vately to the Master, by which he was enabled to with- draw the names, if necessary, without the unpleasant- ness of any blackballing at the ballot, would continue to be carried out." Under date 15th December appears the following minute : — " A letter from Grand Secretary White, dated 3rd October 1856, was read and the warrant of confirmation, therein referred to, was laid before the lodge." 18^'^. The lodge now rented rooms in the Apollo House, Fort, the first meeting was held there on 6th March, when Bro. Martin was appointed Tyler at a salary of Rs. 15 per month. At a subsequent meeting this officer was admonished for misconducting himself on one or two occasions after' the lodge meetings, and promised better behaviour in future. At the lodge, held 27th July, Bro. L. Acland, who had again been elected as W. M., declined the office on account of the irregular attendance of the officers, and want of support shewn by the members during the past year. For the same reasons Bro. Ballingall also declin- ed to continue in the chair, and proposed that the lodge be adjourned sine die. Bro. Gumpert moved that the lodge be dissolved, but this was strongly opposed. The 24 W. M/s proposition was carried and it was resolved that subscriptions be collected from ist August until such time as the lodge should reassemble. " A discus- sion arose as to the disposal of the funds of the lodge which amounted to a considerable sum, and it was proposed that a subscription be made to the Relief Fund for sufferers by the mutiny, but it was ruled that this was unnecessary, as all the members of the lodge had subscribed individually, but if any Mason was a sufferer his case would, when brought forward, be relieved to the extent the funds of the lodge would allow." 26/A October. — Bro. Lawford Acland was installed ss W. M., and the following brethren invested as officers :t — Duncan Smith, S. W. Wm. Trevor Roper, J. W. J. G. H. Brown, Treas. J, P. Cornforth, Secy. A. C. Gumpert, S. D C. J. Vinay, J- D J. Macfarlane, I. G Four candidates were initiated. It was arranged for the lodge to meet at Bro. Roper's residence, Malabar Hill, and to pay Rs. 40 per month for use of suitable rooms. The meetings were now held with great regularity, and there was a fair accession of members. 1858. 2^th January. — The Treasurer reported that he had upwards of Rs. 1,000 in hand, and a sum of Rs. 100 was voted to the fund being raised in the Pre- sidency for the three Bombay Regiments, ist Fusiliers, 64th and 78th, for their " services in the field." A. Robertson, S. D. David Watson, J-D James Bevis, I. G — Martin, Tyler 25 On I St March it was resolved to hold a Lodge of Instruction on the i8th of each month, and that no banquet would be held on such occasions. A proposition was made for the formation of a Library for the lodge, but it was negatived ' ' as the lodge funds were rather at a low ebb." ibth April. — Bro. Henry Durance. Cartwright (Pro- vincial Grand Master of Western India under Scotland) was invested as W. M., for the ensuing twelve months, and appointed — Wm. Trevor Roper, S. W. John Macfarlane, J. W. J. G. H. Brown, Treas. J. p. Cornforth, Secy. It was unanimously resolved to present Bro. Lawford Acland with a P. M. jewel " for the able manner in which he had worked and maintained the lodge since its formation." At the lodge held in September the Trea- surer and Secretary both resigned their offices owing to pressure of business and Bros. Joseph Rich and Edward Yardley were appointed to fill those offices respectively for the remainder of the year. ■12nd December. — The Senior Warden was autho- rised to purchase a dinner service for 24 persons — the forks and spoons to be electro-plated — a motion that they should be sterling silver being negatived. i8^g. 'i.^th January. — At this meeting Bro. Acland was presented with the jewel previously voted by the lodge. It was resolved "that a certain percentage of the funds of the Society be set apart for charitable 4 26 purposes." A Committee was appointed for the purpose of revising the Bye-laws. The following resolution was unanimously carried : — " That as a Charter has been granted for a new lodge under the English Constitution in addition to lodge " St. George," and that as this lodge is aware that applications have also been forwarded from Poona and Kurrachee to the Grand Lodge of England for warrants for new lodges, it is the unanimous prayer of the mem- bers of lodge "St. George" that the Grand Lodge of England should appoint a Provincial Grand Master for Western India, and the members of this lodge do un- animously and cordially recommend Brother Charles Mason Innes Pollock as a fit, proper and acceptable per- son for this high appointment."* This petition was signed by all the members of the lodge and forwarded to London by the mail of 25th February. The Grand Secretary acknowledged the petition on i6th April stat- ing : *' The subject of the formation of a Masonic Pro- vince on the Western side of India has for some time past been under the consideration of the Grand Master, and I beg to assure you that the petition forwarded by you will receive from his Lordship due attention." Nothing came of the matter, however, at the time. 22nd March. — The officers of the new lodge "Con- cord " attended in response to an invitation, and " were received with becoming honours." * The new lodg^e referred to was " Concord," No. 1059, the warrant of which is dated gth October 1858, the lodge being opened in February 1859. Up to this time " St. George " w^as the only lodge working under the English constitution in the Bombay Presidency : — Lodge " Orion in the West " at Poona having been long in abeyance, it was re-opened in June 1859. The lodge at Kurrachee was w-arranted on i6th December 1858, lodge " Union," No. 1069, so that the year 1859 saw no less than four EngUsh lodges at work in the Bombay District. 27 2oM April — The revised Bye-laws were read over and adopted. \'lth May — Bro. W. T. Roper having left for England, this meeting of the lodge was held at Bro. Robertson's house, Malabar Hill. Bro. H- D. Cart- wright was re-installed as W. M., and the undermen- tioned brethren invested as officers : — J. Macfarlane, S. W. A. C. Gumpert, S. D. A. Robertson, J. w. James Bevis, J. D. Joseph Rich, Treas. S. L. Acland, I. G. Wm. C. Sillar, Secy. Francis Jordan, Tyler. The next meeting was held on 29th August at Bro. Macfarlane's house. The Secretary reported having paid Messrs. Elkington & Co.'s bills for plate, ;^5i-i2-5, and that the Bank balance was Rs. 283 only. A letter from the Grand Secretary of England was read warning all lodges against receiving members of any lodges in Turkey working under the so-called Grand Lodge of Turkey, which was irregular and not recognised by the Grand Lodge of England. From September 1859 to January 1863 the lodge met at Bro. Sillar's house on Malabar Hill. On 20th December the Treasurer's accounts were presented show- ing Rs. 1,270 in hand, and Rs. 294 dues outstanding. i860. On 23rd March it was resolved to alter the day of meeting to the 3rd Tuesday in each month, and ever since this has been the regular day of meeting. The Secretary was instructed to procure from England a new set of officer's clothing. i^h June. — Bro. George Taylor was installed as Master. A P. M. jewel was voted to Bro. H. D. Cartwright. as follows : — Wm. C. Sillar, S. W A. C. Gumpert, J.W Alex. Brown, Secy 28 igthjuly. — ^The officers were appointed and invested S. L. Acland, S. D. Thos. Diver, m.d. J. D. T. Bradley, I. G. Bro. H. D. Cartwright was elected an Honorary member. Bro. deSaone was appointed Secretary on 20th November in succession to Bro. Brown who had gone to England. i86t. 7.0th February. — Bro. Roper reported that a movement was on foot to obtain a District Grand Master for Western India, and suggested that Bro. G«orge Taylor, W. M. of this lodge, should be nominated for that office, which was approved. Bro. Revd. J. J. Farnham, of lodge "Concord," who was present, said that lodge would support the recommendation. 16/A April. — Bro. H. D. Cartwright was presented with a silver standish which had been subscribed for by the members of the lodge " to express their appreciation of all that he had done for the good of the lodge, and of the regard and esteem in which he was held by all the brethren who had come in contact with him." 18M June. — Bro. Wm. Cameron Sillar was installed as W. M. Samuel L. Acland, S. W. Dr. T. Diver, J. W. H. B. Maculloch, Treas. J. P. Comforth, S. D. T. Bradley, J. D. Hamilton Maxwell, I. G. A. Prier deSaone, Secy. : W. King, Tyler. i-fth September. — Bro. George Taylor, I. P. M., was congratulated on his appointment as Provincial Grand Master of Bombay. 29 \gth November. — It was resolved to form a Fund of Benevolence, and a Committee was appointed to draft a By-law to give effect to this resolution. 1862. 20th May. — Bro. W. C. Sillar was re-elected as Master, and appointed officers as follows : — J. P. Cornforth, S. D. E. H. Wallace, J. D. Jas. M. Maclean, I. G. S. L. Acland, S. W. Dr. T. Diver, J. W. Robert T. Price, Secy. i^th July. — The Committee appointed to consider the formation of a Benevolent Fund reported that they had given the matter careful consideration, and recommended that each officer on appointment give a donation for the purposes of this Fund, namely, Won Master, Rs. 50 ; Wardens, Rs. 30 ; Deacons, Rs. 15 ; and Inner Guard, Rs. 10. In addition to this it was proposed to devote a portion of the fees and subscriptions to the fund, namely — io7o of all fees for conferring degrees. Initiations, Joinings, &c. Rs. 5 quarterly out of each subscription of Rs. 25, being 2o7„. Rs. 25, or one quarter's subscription on a brother resigning. The adoption of this scale was proposed by the W. M., seconded by the S. W., and carried unanimously. The By-laws were altered to make the installation of the Master in February of each year. z86j. 20th January. — The W. M. stated he was returning to England shortly, and as he would be giving up his house he thought it desirable the bungalow R. D. Peebles, S. D. Hy. Gamble, J. D. W. R. Hoare, I. G. 30 should be secured by the lodge, in order that there should be no risk of losing its place of meeting. After some conversation, without any decision being arrived at, Bro. Roper said he would take the house himself and allow the lodge to have the use of the rooms on the same terms as before. The bungalow was, however, taken by a Dr. Impey, who offered to accommodate the lodge, but other arrangements were made. x'jth February. — Bro. Wm. Trevor Roper was in- stalled as W. M. The list of offices was filled as follows : — J. P. Cornforth, S. W. R. T. Price, J. W. John Gordon, Tre. & Secy. The report of the Audit Committee shewed that the lodge had to credit of — General Fund ... Rs. 833 Benevolent Fund ... ,, 311 A donation of Rs. 100 was voted to a widow of a brother mason. Brother Gumpert then proposed that the lodge should put itself into communication with the other lodges in Bombay for the purpose of ascertaining their views on the subject of building a Masonic Hall. The pulling down of the Ramparts of the Fort, and appropriation of a part of the Esplanade for building purposes, presented an opportunity of obtaining a site that might never occur again. It was decided to address the other lodges and to ask their co-operation in forming a Central Com- mittee composed of a representative from each lodge and to make an immediate application to Government for a site. 3^1 Bro. Alfred King, W. M., of lodge "Concord," said he had much pleasure in placing the rooms of his lodge at the disposal of " St. George " until they could make some arrangement. i^th March. — The Master proposed that a P. M. jewel should be presented to the late W. M., who had served two years, and whose zeal for the good of the lodge had been so conspicuous. Several of the brethren, while agreeing as to the merits of Bro. Sillar, urged that ' ' it would form a bad precedent were the lodge to present a masonic jewel to him." The matter then dropped. 2\st July. — The W. M. reported that he had sanc- tioned grants from the Benevolent Fund, aggregating Rs. loi, to two poor widows, which was confirmed by the lodge. The sum of jQ 5-5-0 was voted to each of the following institutions : — 1. Royal Masonic Institution for Boys. 2. Royal Freemason's School for Girls. 3. Royal Benevolent Institution for aged Freema- sons and their Widows (Male Annuity Fund). 4. Royal Benevolent Institution (Widow's Fund). 5. Sustentation Fund of the Asylum, at Croydon. i5^A September. — A letter was read from the Grand Secretary of England informing the lodge that its number on the Register was altered to 549. From February to August 1863 the meetings of the lodge were held at Bro. Roper's bungalow, Malabar Hill ; the September meeting was held .at Bro. Price's house, and subsequent meetings at Bro. Mac William's residence, Malabar Hill. The latter brother 32 was elected an Honorary Member on 15th December, " in consideration of his courtesy in allowing the lodge to assemble at his bungalow." 1864. \6th February. — Bro. John Macfarlane was installed as Master, and the following officers appointed : — R. T. Price, S. W. A. S. Lawson, S. D. Hy. Gamble, J. W. Dacre T. Roper, J. D. Forrest L. Brown, F. MacWilliam, I. G. Treas. & Sec. W. G. King, Tyler. ig/Zt April. — A sum of ;^ 10- 100 was voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls. It was decided to sell the old furniture of the Lodge. 2\st Jtine. — A communication from the Editor, Masonic Record of Western India, was read, asking that he might be allowed access to the books of the lodge in order to publish an account of its history ; also to have the current minutes furnished him for publica- tion. The W. M. said he thought, with supervision, the request might be complied with. This was bitterly opposed by certain brethren, partly because they feared matters which only concerned the members of the lodge might be made public, and partly on personal grounds connected with the Editor of the periodical. Rt. Wor. Bro. Taylor (Provincial Grand Master) said he might not object to the publication of the history of lodges, as it would be interesting and might be useful, but India was so different from England that in a small community such as ours he thought it better not to publish the minutes of meetings. It was decided not to publish minutes of the lodge or to allow the Editor access to the books. 33 Bro. King, the Tyler, presented to the lodge a handsomely bound Bible, for which he was called in and thanked. A sum of Rs. 50 was voted to the widow of a deceased mason. i8tk October. — A letter from the District Grand Secretary was read calling attention to the fact that a Bro. C. of Lodge " Perseverance," No. 351, S. C, had published a Pamphlet purporting to be a ritual of the three degrees of Freemasonry, the same being a viola- tion of his o. b>, and instructing the W. M. to refuse him admission should he attend Lodge "St. George'* in the character of a visitor. A sum of Rs. 100 was voted to the widow of a former member of a sister lodge. iS6j. I'jth January. — For the first time since the establishment of the lodge there was a contest for the Mastership. Bro. Dr. Diver was elected by a majority of votes, but he declined to accept the office being already W.M. of lodge " Concord." Two further ballots were taken, and Bro. Djver having received a majority of votes on each occasion, finally consented to accept the post. 2\st February. — Bro. Thomas Diver, M.D., was installed as Master, and the following officers ap- pointed : — Forrest L. Brown, S. W. F. MacWilliam, J. W. Dacre T. Roper, Treas. and Sec. F. R. Kendall, S. D. F. Bartlett, J. D. E. H. Wallace, L G. The sum of ;^io-io-o was voted as a donation to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys in the name of Bro. 34 J- Macfarlane, P.M., to make him a Life Governor. A sum of Rs. ICO was granted to a distressed brother at Poona. 2\st March. — An allowance of Rs. 15 per month for six months was voted to the widow of a Brother formerly of a sister lodge in Bombay. \%th April. — An allowance of Rs. 20 per month for six months was voted, on an application from the Secre- tary of Lodge "Orion," Poona, for a widow whose father, husband, and son (all Masons) had died within a few weeks ; and a sum of ;^5 was granted to the widow of a late member of Lodge " Royal Gloster," No. 130, to be sent to the Editor of the Lancet. \Sth July. — An allowance of Rs. 10 per month for six months was voted to the widow and family of a deceased mason. It was resolved to send a letter of condolence to the Earl of Zetland, Most Worshipful Grand Master, on the death of the Countess, his wife. i^th August. — An allowance of Rs. 15 per month was granted to the widow of a Brother of a Scottish lodge. Bro. MacWilliam stated that in consequence of his leaving his bungalow at the end of the month the lodge could no longer be held there. No meeting was held during the remainder of the year. 7th October. — A sum of Rs. 100 was voted to the fund being raised for a testimonial to Bro. G. Taylor, late Provincial Grand Master, by the lodges in Bombay, and it was resolved to present him with an address from this lodge. A sum of Rs. 100 was also subscribed to the public fund being raised for the relief of the sick and wounded in the Franco-German War. A sum of Rs. 50 was granted to a distressed Brother hailing from a Scottish lodge in Calcutta. 15//^ November. — Bro. the Hon'ble James Gibbs, Dis-^ trict Grand Master, with his Grand Officers, and a large 6 42 Number of visiting Brethren were present. Bro. George Taylor was introduced and saluted, and the W. M. presented him in the name of the lodge with the follow- ing address : — " To Right Worshipful Brother George Taylor, Past District Grand Master of Bombay and its Territories. " Right Worshipful Sir and Brother, — We, the Master, Past Masters, Officers and Brethren of Lodge ' St. George,' No. 549, of Antient Free and Accepted Masons holding under warrant from the Grand Lodge of England, hereby respectfully and fraternally desire to record our deep sense of gratitude for the eminent services which yoii have continuously rendered both to the craft in general, and to our lodge in particular, during a period of nearly nine years while filling the high position of District Grand Master of Bombay and its Territories. ' ' On the occasion of your retirement from the cares of your exalted office, we, the members of the lodge over which you yourself have formerly ruled as Worshipful Master with so much zeal and ability for two consecutive years, seize this opportunity of expressing our cordial appreciation of the great courtesy and urbanity which has uniformly marked your masonic intercourse with us. " May the Great Architect of the Universe grant you yet many prosperous and happy days, and may our antient craft, as well as Lodge ' St. George ' in Bom- bay, long enjoy the benefit of your counsels and the privilege of your friendship, confidence, and support. "(Sd.) E. Tyrrell Leith, W. M., and members of the lodge. " 43 The W. M. alluded in very eloquent terms to Rt. Wor. Bro. Taylor's services to Masonry in Calcutta, as well as in Bombay, and added that during his tenure of office as District Grand Master he had fulfilled the duties of that high station with credit to himself, satis- faction to the various lodges, and benefit to every individual Brother hailing under the English banner within his jurisdiction. Bro. Taylor said he accepted the expression of their goodwill with heartfelt gratitude, for apart from his connection with the lodge as its Master for two consecu- tive years, it was the influence of the Brethren of Lodge '* St. George," and without any solicitation on his part that the choice fell upon him to fill the high position of District Grand Master. 2oth December. — Rs. 50 was voted to a poor Mason, and a further Rs. 50 to the widow of another Mason. i8'/i. 2ist February. — Bro. Mackintosh Balfour was installed as W. M. The officers for the year were ap- pointed : — Hon. G. M. Stewart, S. D. Dr. J. Lumsdaine, J. D. W. H. Atkinson, I. G. J. W. Seager, Tyler. iSth April. — ^A sum of Rs. 100 was voted to assist a distressed Brother to return to England. igth December. — Sums aggregating Rs. 155 were voted to deserving applicants. Bro. Gibbs having brought to the notice of the lodge that a General Masonic Charity Fund had recently been established in the District, and briefly explained its objects, Rs. 50 was voted to the funds of the institution. Wm. G. Hall, S. W. J. J. Winton, J. W. J. Percy Leith, Treas. C. A. Winter, Secy. 44 The 15th by-law of the lodge regarding the main- tenance of a Benevolent Fund by a certain proportion of the contributions had apparently been allowed to fall into disuse, and at this meeting was altered to read: " That the General Funds of the lodge shall be available for charitable relief to the extent of the funds in hand. In cases of emergency the Standing Committee shall be empowered to advance a sum, not exceeding Rs. 50J towards the relief of a distressed Mason or his relations, without having obtained the previous sanction of the lodge. The W. M. will,, however, lay the matter before the lodge at the meeting immediately succeeding the granting of such assistance, with a statement of the reasons which induced the Standing Committee to exercise the authority hereby granted to them." The fees paid by officers on appointment were order- ed to be paid to the General Funds of the lodge. A P- M.'s jewel was voted by acclamation to Brc Tyrrell Leith in recognition of the valuable services he had rendered. A letter from the Grand Secretary of England, forwarding a circular issued in 1859, was read, referring to a spurious system of Freemasonry that had been established at Stratford in Essex, calling itself the Reformed Masonic Order of Memphis, or Rite of the Grand Lodge of the Philadelphians, and stating that it was feared that spurious lodges had found their way to- the Colonies, and warning Brethren against holding masonic intercourse with such bodies. 18^2. \^th Jayiuary . — Bro. the Hon'ble James Gibbs" called attention to the fact that this lodge was, with the exception of " Orion in the West" at Poona, the oldest lodge within the dominion of the District Grand Lodge o£ 45 Bombay-, and said it would be most interesting to have the old records of the lodge looked up, and have a slight sketch of the history of the lodge prepared. Bros. Percy Leith and C. A. Winter were asked to inspect the records, and report on their condition and prepare a history of the lodge, which they agreed to undertake.* ■20th February. — Bro. was installed as W. M., invested. : — Chas. A. Winter, S. W. Dr. I. B. Lyon, J. W. J. Percy Leith, Treas. Gordon Tomkins, Secy. Charles Archibald Langley and the following officers Dr. J. Lumsdaine, S. D, Dr. W. Gray, J. D- J. W. Best, L G, J. W. Seager, Tyler. xoth September. — A donation of Rs. 50 was given to the General Masonic Charity Fund, also Rs. 50 tO' the widow of a deceased Mason. 18'ij. 2.1st January. — ^A donation of Rs. 100 was voted to the General Charity Fund. igth February. — Bro. Charles Albert Winter was installed as Master, and the following officers ap- pointed :— Wellington Gray, S. W. W. J. Best, S. D John Lumsdaine, J. W. . Gordon Tomkins, J. D J. Percy Leith, Treas. L B. Lyon, L G E. Tyrrel Leith, Secy. J. W. Seager, Tyler The jewels which had been voted to Bros. Tyrrel! Leith and Mackintosh Balfour were presented to them by the District Grand Master. A Past Master's jewef was voted to the retiring Master, Bro. Langley. * Nothing-, however, seems to have been done at the time, and there IS. no further reference to the proposed history in the lodg-e minutes.. 46 The sum of Rs. 500 was voted as a gift to the Masonic Girls School in England in the name of Bro. Percy Leith to make him a Vice-President of that institution as a well deserved tribute for the varied ser- vices he had rendered to the craft and to "St, George." i^th March. — It was resolved to present a Past Master's jewel to Bro. A. C. Gumpert A donation of Rs. 100 was voted to the Bombay Diocesan Schools. 18th Nomeniber. — Rs. 100 was given to the Masonic Charity Fund. At the next lodge night a letter was read from the District Grand Secretary relative to the proposed observance of St. John's Day as a masonic festival. After discussion it was resolved, " That lodge ' St. George ' desires to express its disapproval of public processions of Masons, and declines to join in the proposed celebration of St John's Day." 18^4. Sth February. — Dr. William F. Knapp was installed as W. M., and the following ofiBcers invested: — William J. Best, S. W. Dr. H. de Tatham, S. D. William A.Baker, J.W. Dr. Thos. S.Weir, J. D. C. J. Herring, Treas. Dr. I. B. Lyon, L G. Tyrrell Leith, Secy. J. W. Seager, Tyler. lyth March. — ;^5-5-o was voted as a donation to the Masonic Boys School, England. At the meeting in April the Secretary brought up the question of provid- ing dinner on lodge nights, and recommended that dinner should only be ordered for as many members as might signify their intention of being present After discus- sion it was decided that this course should be adopted. 16th June.— A donation of Rs. 100 was given to the General Masonic Charity Fund. A letter received 47 from Lodge "Pioneer, " Assensole, Bengal, forwarding prospectus of a lottery for the purpose of raising funds to build a Masonic Hall, was laid before the lodge, and it was resolved "that it was not a matter which the lodge felt justified in entertaining." i$ik September. — A P. M.'s medal was voted to Bro. C. A. Winter " as a mark of gratitude for the valu- able services rendered to lodge ' St. George ' before and during his year of office." i^th November. — A sum of Rs. loo was granted to the Tyler, whp was seriously ill. 18'^^. i6th February. — Bro. C. A. Winter having been re-elected as Master, invested the officers for the ensuing year as follows : — H deTatham, S. W. A. C. Gumpert, p.m., S.D T. S. Weir, J. W. Tyrrell Leith, p.m., J. D C. A. Langley, Treas. C.M.I. Pollock, P.M., I.G F. V. B. Yates, Secy. J. W. Seager, Tyler The sums of ^lo-io-o for the Masonic Boys School, ;(£"io-io-o for the Girls School, and ;;^5-5-o to the Annuitant Fund of the Masonic Benevolent Institution were subscribed from the lodge funds in the name of Bro. Andrew Hay, and similar amounts, ;^26-5-to, in the name of Bro. Tyrrell Leith, thereby constituting them Life Members of those Institutions, as some slight recognition of their services. 20th April. — The clause in Bye-law 15 regarding fees payable on appointment to office was rescinded. A sum 48 of Rs. 50 was voted to the fund for presenting a testi- monial to Bro. W. H. Hussey, District Grand Secretary. 2.0th July. — On the confirmation of the minutes of previous meeting being put, an amendment was pro- posed to strike out the portion relating to the alteration of by-law 15, but was not carried. Rs. 100 were given to the European General Hospital Endowment Fund. A gratuity of Rs. 50 was voted to the Tyler. 18^6. iSth Jantiaty. — The thanks of the lodge were tendered to Bro. A. C. Gumpert for his trouble in pro- curing a new banner, and it was directed ' ' That it be specially recorded that the new banner of lodge 'St, George ' was first unveiled in the presence of the Grand Master of England, H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, at the Masonic ceremony which took place at the laying the Foundation stone of the Princes' Dock in Bombay on the nth day of November 1875." A sum of Rs. 50 was voted to be sent to the Indo-British Schools. i^th February. — Bro. Dr. Isidore Bernadotte Lyon was installed as W. M. Officers were appointed as under : — Wm. A. Baker, S. W. H. I. P. Thompson,]. W. C. A. Langley, p.M.,Treas. C. A. Winter, p.m., Secy. Wellington Gray, S.D. J. M. Sleater, p.m., J.D, Tyrrell Leith, p.m., I.G. J. W. Seager, Tyler. 2.1st March. — Bro. James Percy Leith was elected an Honorary member. igth September. — Rs. 50 was voted to the widow of the late Bro. Revd. J. J. F. i8jj. 2^th January. — An emergent meeting was held to consider the position of the lodge, and owing to 49 the small attendance of the members it was proposed to place the lodge in abeyance temporarily, but the proposi- tion was not carried. A further motion that the lodge should be formed into a lodge of Past Masters, was also negatived. Bro. Tyrrell Leith was elected as Master for the current year. This election was cancelled by the District Grand Master as void, it having taken place at an emergent meeting, and Bro. E. T. Leith was again elected at the regular meeting on 20th February. At the same meeting it was resolved to give ^i^io-io-g to the Masonic Boys' School, ;^io-io-o to the Girls' School, and ;^5-5-o to the Aged Masons' Institute in the name of Bro. C. A. Winter. ^oth March. — ^Bro. E. Tyrrell Leith was installed as W. M., and the following officers were appointed : — Wm. A. Baker, S. W. J. M. Sleater, p.m., J.W. M. Balfour, P.M., Treas. and J. D. L B. Lyon, p.m., s.i>. C. A. Langley, p.m., j.d. E, Tyrrell Leith, (W. M.) Secy. It was decided to present a P. M.'s medal to Bro, Dr. L B. Lyon. T.'^th April. — The fiees payable to the lodge were reduced as follows : Initiation, Passing and Raising, from Rs. 200 to Rs. 150. Joining, Passing and Raising, from Rs. 100 to Rs. 50, and a committee appointed to revise the lodge Bye-laws. A donation of Rs. 50 was given to the 1 ■ Lestock Reid, S. W. Fraser S. Hore, J. W. Wm. A. Baker, Treas. E. Tyrrell Leith, Secy. 50 Bombay Masonic Association. The W. M. stated that the lodge minute books prior to i860 were not forth- coming'. 18^8. igth Februaty. — The audited accounts shewed a balance of Rs. 1,180 in hand. Bro. Captain Stephen Babington was installed as W. M., and he appointed the following officers : — Dr. I. B. Lyon, S. D. F. V. B. Yates, J. D, H. I. P. Thomson, I. G. J. W. Seager, Tyler. Bro. George Taylor, Past District Grand Master, was elected an Honorary member. A sum of Rs. 500 was voted to the Bombay Masonic Association. igth 3farch.— Bro. Mackintosh Balfour, P. M. and Grand Master of all Scottish Fremasonry in India, was elected an Honorary member. At a subsequent meet- ing a donation of Rs. 50 was voted to the " Gibbs' Testimonial Fund." 18^9. 7.\st January. — Bro. Tyrrell Leith congratu- lated the Lodge on the vigour with which it had worked during the past year. There had been 9 meetings held, 3 initiations, 9 passings, and 6 raisings, and the member- ship had been increased by 4 joinings, whilst 3 brethren had resigned. He regretted that the W. M., Bro* Capt. Babington, had been unable to preside during the whole term of his office, having been transferred to a new appointment at Ahmednagar. He thought the Lodge was now in a flourishing condition. It was unani- mously resolved to recommend Bro. E. Tyrrell Leith as successor to the Rt. Wor. Bro. Gibbs, in the post of District Grand Master of Bombay. 51 i8^A February. — The following address was presented to the retiring District Grand Master : — " To THE Right Worshipful Brother the Honorable James Gibbs, c.s., c.s.i., f.r.g.s., Barrister-at-Law, Senior Member of the Execu- tive Council of Bombay, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bombay, President of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, District Grand Master and District Grand Super- intendent of Bombay and its Territories, Honorary Past Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India, Past Master of Lodges "St. George", No. 549 E.G., "Union," No. 767 E.G., and "Hope," No. 360S.C., Past Principal Z of Chapter " Keystone of Western India", No. 757, "Right Worshipful Sir and Brother, — We, the Worshipful Master, Past Masters, Officers and Brethren of Lodge " St. George," No. 549, working under warrant from the United Grand Lodge of England and Wales, hereby respectfully crave leave, on your resignation of the high office of District Grand Master, to express to you our deep sense of the great obligations which we, in common with the whole of the 'English Fraternity under your authority, owe to you for the numerous important benefits conferred by you on the craft during the thirty-three years of your distinguished career in Freemasonry, and more especi- ally during the nine years of your successful rule. " We also desire more especially to assure you of our high appreciation of the tact, zeal, ability and cour- tesy invariably displayed by you in your relations with this lodge over which you have twice presided as 52 Worshipful Master, and in the welfare of which you have ever taken the warmest interest. " We now hid you farewell with every expression of loyal attachment and fraternal regard, and earnestly pray that the Great Architect of the Universe may ever have you in his keeping, long preserve you to be an honour to the Craft, and bestow on you and yours every tem- poral and spiritual blessing." (Signed by all the Members of the Lodge.) Bro. Gibbs said that his surprise was only equalled by his pleasure at receiving so high a testimonial of esteem and friendly feeling from those with whom he had been so long and intimately associated. Although the Lodge had on various occasions got into difSculties, and its light had sometimes sunk so low that each con- vulsive flicker appeared but the harbinger of death, yet there is within it a vital spark which never dies, and which like the phoenix of old, sinks but to rise again more resplendent than before. He specially wished to congratulate the Lodge on the unanimity which had always prevailed in its working, and where perfect un- animity prevailed, amongst however small a body of brethren, strength must exist. Bro. James William Smith was then installed as Master of the Lodge. The following brethren were appointed to office : — John A. Cassels, S. W. Wm. H. Bushby, J. W. James Moore, Treasurer. E. W. Bald, Secretary. S. L. Macnaghten, S. D. Edward Comber, J. D. H. R. Cormack, L G. J. W. Seager, Tyler. A Past Master's jewel was voted to Bro. Capt. S 53 Babington, "as such had been the invariable custom in Lodge "St. George." " iSth April.~Ero. the Chevalier Carlo Grondona, of Lodge " Trionfo Ligure," Genoa^ Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, was elected a joining member, and re- obligated in the three degrees. It was proposed to pur- chase a new set of Officers' collars as the old ones were very shabby. A Committee was appointed to consider the accounts of the Lodge. i6th December. — A report from the Committee was read dealing with the funds of the Lodge :— They produced an abstract of cash disbursements for the seven years from 1872 to 1878, showing the total amounts of sub- scriptions and disbursements, together with the totals expended upon Banquets, Charity, Lodge Expenses, Fees to Grand Lodge and Presentations — ^this document was printed and circulated among the members.* The accounts for the past three years showed an improve- ment over the preceding period, but the items under Lodge Expenses were very heavy, and the Committee hoped some steps might be taken to reduce them. When the subscriptions for current quarter were collected the Lodge would have Rs. 1,400 in hand. The report was adopted. 1880. 10th January. — Bro. J. W. Smith stated that during his year of office there had been 4 joinings, 8 initiations, 7 passings, and 5 raisings ; no resignations. The total number of resident members was 24, non-resi- dent 14 ; nine meetings had been held. The financial position of the Lodge was Cash at Bank and in Trea- * It is unfortunate that this interesting- document was not entered upon the minutes, no copy of it can now be found. 54 surer's hands, Rs. 537 ; Wine in stock valued at Rs. 155 ; invested in 4>^ % Government paper, Rs. 1,045; and outstanding fees, Rs. 405. Bro. W. H. Hussey, District Grand Secretary, was elected an Honorary member. \']th February. — Bro. James W. Smith, having been re-elected as Master, continued in the chair, and appointed — James Moore, S. W. S. L. Macnaghten, J. W. W. H. Bushby, Treasurer. H. R. Cormack, Secretary. H.A. Richardson, D. C. Ed. Comber, S. D. Dr. W. K. Hatch, J. D. W. C. H. Gill, I. G. John G. Russell, Steward. J. W. Seager, Tyler. A donation of Rs. 50 was voted to the Tyler. A Past Master's jewel was voted for presentation to Bro. J. W. Smith. Q.nd December. — The lodge was placed in mourning owing to the recent death of Bro. John Hervey, Grand Secretary. Government Promissory Notes for Rs. 1,000, tog'ether with the sum of Rs. 54%^ interest accrued there- on, were presented by the lodge to the newly formed Bombay Masonic Association, constituting the lodge a Vice-President thereof. Subscriptions from individual members of the lodge, amounting to Rs. 480, were announced for the same charity. 1 881. i8ik January. — The W. M. said there were now 21 resident, and 15 absent, members. There had been g initiations, 8 passings, 7 raisings, 6 joinings, 2 resignations, and he regretted to add 2 deaths. The cash balance in hand was Rs. 131. The amount receiv- 55 ed during his two years of Mastership was Rs. 4,88g, and the expenditure during the same period had been Rs. 490 for Grand Lodge fees, Rs. 3,978 for general expenses, and Rs. 564 for charity, excluding the dona- tion to the Masonic Association. The following inventory of the lodge property is entered after the minutes of this night's proceed- ings :— I Bible. I Banner and Stand. 10 Collars. 10 Do. old. 10 Officers jewels. I Wine cupboard. Treasurer's box, con- taining books, etc. Secretary's box, con- taining books, etc. Box of old books and records. Box for clothing. \^th February. — Bro. James Moore, W. M. Elect, was installed, and the following officers appointed : — Edward Comber, S. W. H. R. Cormack, J. W. S. L. Macnaghten, Treas. John G. Russel, Sec. Dr. W. K. Hatch, S. D. Humphries Gill, J. D. H. A, Richardson, I. G. J. W. Seager, Tyler. It was resolved that a bar be added to the Past Master's jewel already presented to Bro. James W. Smith. At the next monthly meeting Bro. the Honorable James Gibbs, Past District Grand Master, was elected an honorary member, 1882. lyth January. — The retiring Master made the usual statement of affairs of the lodge. During the past year there had been 8 regular and 2 emergent meetings, 5 joinings, 3 initiations, 4 craftings and 4 raisingSj and at the close oT the 57ear there were 33 resident and 10 non-resident hiembers on the books. There was a €ash balance in hand of Rs. 817, and dues outstanding amounted to Rs. 687. 2ist February. — Bro. John Andrew Cassels was installed as Master ; the list of office-bearers was filled as follows :^« Humphries Gill, S. W. W. Keith Hatch, J. W. S. L. Macnaghten, Treas. A. G. Harrison, Sec. H. A. Richardson, S. D. Capt E. H. Fenn, J. D. Oscar Got, Master of Cere. Dr. T. Cody, I. G. The I. P- M. Brdi James Moore was voted a jewel for his able services in the chair. 20th June. — Bro was excluded from the lodge "for dishonorable and unmasonic conduct." The members subscribed for, and presented to, the W. M. an ivory gavel in commemoration of the birth of a daughter during his term of office. A donation of Rs. 200 was given to the Masonic Association. i88j. Sth January. — The W. M., reviewing the work of the year just ended, said there had been 8 regular meetings, and the work done comprised 3 initia- tions, 3 passings, 3 raisings, also 6 joining members admitted. There were a few resignations owing to brethren leaving India, and one death. There were on the books 32 resident, 14 non-resident, and 6 honorary members. Financially the lodge was in a sound posi- tion, having cash in hand Rs. 813 ; and outstandings Rs. 658, which were being recovered. Thos. Cody, S. D S. W. Anderson, J- D J. B. Haworth, M. C Oscar Got, I. G 57 2oM Fehruaiy. — Bro. William Charles Humphries Gill was installed as W. M. The following officers were appointed :— H. A. Richardson, S. W. Capt. E. H. Fenn, J. W. R. N. Mant, Treas. P. R. Wilson, Sec. A Past Master's medal was voted to Bro. Cassels, also a donation of Rs. 200 to the Masonic Association. \']th April. — The following resolution was carried: — • "That Lodge ' St. George ' approves the scheme for a new Masonic Hall, as drawn up by a Sub-committee of the Freemasons Hall Committee, and is prepared to invest Rs. 500 of the lodge funds in the debentures - bearing interest at 6°/^ per annum, and that the mem- bers individually will also take up debentures to the extent of Rs. 5,000." \6th October. — Bro. Andrew Hay was elected an honorary member. The sum of Rs. 25 was given to a distressed Mason. 188^. i^ik January. — The W. M. stated that the work during his year of office had consisted of 4 initia- tions, 4 passings, and 3 raisings ; there had been 2 joinings, 3 resignations, and alas ! 2 deaths. The roll shewed 24 resident and 21 non-resident members. The balance in Treasurer's hands was Rs. 508, and fees outstanding Rs. 956. The following addition to by-law VH was un- animously carried : — " Brethren of distinction duly pro- posed and seconded may be elected honorary members 8 58 of the lodge by acclamation, or in the event of a ballot being demanded by ballot, which shall take place at the next regular meeting after due notice has been given on the summons." igth February, — Bro. Harold Robertson King was installed as Master, who invested the following offi- cers : — P. R. Wilson, S, W. J. B. Haworth, J. W. W. C. H. Gill, Treas. T. W. Cuffe, Sec. Oscar Got, S. D, J. C. R, Johnston, J. D. S. Digby, I. G. J. W. Seager, Tyler. A sum of Rs. 500 was voted to the Bombay Masonic Association, and Rs. 50 was given to the Tyler. It was resolved to present Bro. Humphries Gill with a Past Master's jewel. i%th March. — Rs. 40 was given to a poor Mason who applied for relief. The W. M. called attention to the great unpunctuality of the members and hoped they would in future make it a point to attend at the hour named in the summons. 188^. zoth January. — The W. M. said that 7 meet- ings had been held during the past year, and there had been i raising only, 3 joinings, and 3 resignations. The funds in hand amounted to Rs. 1,010, and out- standings to Rs. 1,115, which, however, included the subscriptions for the current quarter ; of the actual arrears he estimated that Rs. 150 might be considered doubtful. A Past Master's jewel was voted to be pre- sented to Bro. H. R. King for his able services to the lodsre. 59 \']t'h February. — Bro. Henry Adair Richardson was, installed as W. M. The following officers were ap- pointed : — E. H. Fenn, S. W. S. Digby, S. D. T; W. Cuffe,, J. W. D. A. Paterson, J. D. p. R. Wilson^ Treas. J. Campbell, I. G. H. R. King, Seci J. W. Seager, Tyler. The "usual donation" of Rs. 5P was given to the Tyler. \']th March. — A sum of Rs. lo per month for one year was sanctioned to be paid to the son of a late brother of Lodge 757. lYst April.— ^ro. J. H. Burrett, P: M. of No. 757, was elected Tyler in place of Bro. Seager, deceased. 2.0th October. — A communication, was read from the Secretary of the. Joint Hall Committee intimating that the rent charged to the lodge would he increased from Rs. 40 to Rs. 45,mon:thly,. commencing from ist Decem- ber following, as the present income barely sufficed for the yearly expenditure and left no surplus for meeting extraordinary charges. It was agreed, to pay the in- creased rent. Several brethren expressed their opinion as to the inadvisability of the lodge suspending its meetings for so long a period during the hot and rainy months as had, up to that time^ been the rule. It was urged that such a custom, led to indifference towards the affairs of the lodge, and consequently to a diminution of its working strength, and it was unanimously resolved, " that this meeting do record its opinion that it would be for the advantage of the lodge if meetings were held in the monsoon months." 6o 1886. ig/h/anuar}:—The W.M. reported that there were '29 resident and 19 non-resident members on the roll ; during his year of office there were 2 initiations, i passing, i raising, 2 joining members, and 4 resignations. i6ih February.— Bro. the Hon'ble ^It. Justice Henry James Parsons, C. S., was installed as Master, and the appointment of officers made as follows : — J. B. Haworth, S. D. W. R. Macdonell, J. D. Lieut E. J. Gossett, I. G. J. H. Burrett, Tyler. T. W. Cuffe, S. W. Dr. D. A. Paterson, J. W. P. R. Wilson, Treas. Revd. H. X. Midwinter, Sec. i6//i March. — A donation of Rs. 500 was given to the Bombay Masonic Association. A Past Master's jewel was voted to Bro. H. A. Richardson. 1887. 18/A January. — The lodge was reported by the W. M. to be in a fairly prosperous condition, they had had no less than 4 initiations, 5 passings, 5 raisings, and 3 affiliations, but he regretted to add also 5 resig- nations. Cash in hand amounted to Rs. 498, and out- standings Rs. 900. \^th February. — Bro. James William Smith, C.E., was installed as W. M. for the third time ; he appointed the following officers : — W. R. Macdonell, S. W. J. W. Clarkson, J. W. James Moore, Treas. D. A. Paterson, Sec. A donation of Rs. 500 and a further sum of Rs. 40 as Steward's fee were voted to the Bombay Masonic Association, Leslie Crawford, S. D. T. Walker, J. D. R. S. Brown, L G. W. Xatchel!, Tvler 6i i^th March. — H. R. H. the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, Commander-in-Chief of the Bombay Army, Provincial Grand Master for Sussex and District Grand Master designate of Bombay, was elected a joining member. The following addition to by-law VI was carried : — " If a member, while on the non-resident list, attend a lodge meeting, or remain one month in Bombay, he shall in either case pay a subscription of Rs. 6}^ for the one meeting or the one month, as the case may be, in addition to the annual subscription of Rs. 5 payable as a non-resident member." lyth May. — Bro. J. H. Burrett was elected as Tyler in place of Bro. Natchell, deceased. 1888. I'jth January. — Some trifling alterations were made in the by-laws to bring them into conformity with the Book of Constitutions. The W. M. made the usual statement of the affairs of the lodge : — There had been 10 regular meetings at which 3 candidates were initiated, 3 passed, and 4 raised, there were also 4 joinings and 2 resignations. The Treasurer's books shewed cash to credit of the lodge Rs. 306, and outstanding fees amounted to about Rs. 400. 2ist February. — Bro. William Robert Macdonell was installed as W. M. The following officers were invested : — R. S. Brown, S. W. W. A. Glazebrook, J. W. James Moore, Treas. H. C. Wright, Sec. J. G. Russell, S. D. G. W. Roughton, J. D. H. J. R. Hemming, I. G. J. H. Burrett, Tyler. A donation of Rs. 500, with Steward's fee of Rs. 40, was voted to the Bombay Masonic Association. It was 62 resolved that a bar should be added to the Past Master's jewel of Bro. J. W. Smith in commemoration of his third term of oflBce as Master. i/Z/i April. — Bro. H. J. Parsons presented Rs. loo to the Benevolent Fund, for which he was thanked by the lodge. i88g. \'=^h January. — The lodge received with pro- found regret the intelligence of the death of Bro. Tyrrell Leith, Past Master and Past District Grand Master, at Heidelberg on loth December preceding. \^th February. — Bro. Richard Sneade Brown was installed as Wor. Master. Officers were appointed as follows : — H. C. Wright, S. W. I H. J. R. Hemming, S. D. G. W. Roughton, J. W. \ Arthur Grey, J. D. James Moore, Treas. I H. Buckland, I. G. And such of them as were present were invested. 19M March. — Bro. Moore having gone to England, Bro. G. K. Heinrichs was elected as Treasurer for remain^ier of the year. A question having arisen as to the liability of the lodge to contribute to the funds of District Grand Lodge for those members who were in arrear of subscription and reference being made to the District Grand Secretary, he replied ; — '■'May i^th, 1889. "Dear Sir and Brother, — I am desired in reply to your letter of 21st March to say that our late District Grand Master, Tyrrell Leith, ruled that rule 175 of the Book of Constitutions did not apply to District Grand 63 Lodge fees, but only to the Grand Lodge of England Benevolent Fund, and that rules 174 and 175 must be read together, and that as lodges abroad are exempted from paying contributions to the Grand Lodge Fund of Benevolence these two rules have no force for District Lodges ; then as there is no by-law which provides for relieving lodges from the payment of the annual fees for members, we can only deal with it in the light of equity, and in that light I am to say that it does seem a hard- ship for lodges to pay for members who have not paid the Iddge ; but there is this to be said, on the other hand, that arrears of dues are in most cases the fault of the lodges more than of the members in arrear. This is our experience. Consequently if a lodge has to pay for those who have not paid it because of the lodge's own neglect to collect the dues, then there is no hardship. Now, as regards your lodge ' St George,' I am desired to say that there need scarcely be any difficulty, for if members do not pay up you have rule IX in your by-laws which disposes of them. "With kind regards, yours fraternally, " (Sd.) W. H. HUSSEY, D.G.S." After a long discussion it was decided, "That the Secretary be instructed to write to District Grand Lodge a respectful dissent and protest against the ruling above, and ask the D. G. Lodge to re-consider the matter, and if need be, refer the same to Grand Lodge for authorita- tive ruling." tSgo. list January.— 1\i^ W. M. said the matter of the liability of the Lodge for payment of fees to District Grand Lodge had been referred to Grand Lodge and a 64 satisfactory ruling obtained on the subject, vis. : — " The Lodge is not bound to pay fees to District Grand Lodge for members in arrear. " 2^th Febniaty. — Bro. Henry Courtenay Wright was installed as W. M. The officers were appointed as under : — H. J. Parsons, S. W. G. K. Heinrichs, J. W. R. S. Brown, Treasurer. W. R. Macdonell, Secy. A. Marsden, S. D. W. C. H. Gill, J. D. W. N. Fleming, L G. J. H. Burrett, Tyler. A donation of Rs. loo, and Steward's fee of Rs. 40, were voted to the Bombay Masonic Association. A communication from the District Grand Lodge was read with reference to a farewell entertainment to H. R. H. the Duke of Connaught, District Grand Master, and it was resolved to subscribe Rs. 50 with a further sum of Rs. 50, if required. During the previous year the Lodge held ID meetings, and the work done consisted of 3 initiations, 2 passings and 2 raisings. At the close of the year the number of resident members was 20, and non-resident 22. i8gi. igth Febniaty. — Bro. Georg Karl Heinrichs was installed in the Eastern Chair, and appointed as officers : — Arthur Marsden, S. W. ! W. X. Fleming, S. D. P. C. Stephanides, J. W. R. S. Brown, Treasurer. W. R. Macdonell, Secy. E. Lambrinudi, J. D. Chas. Greenway, L G. J. H. Burrett, Tyler. 21st April. — In order to mark the close connection of the late Bro. Harold King, Past Deputy District Grand Master, with this Lodge and to perpetuate his memory. 65 it was proposed by Bro. Gill " that the sum of Rs. 540 should be contributed in the late brother's name to the Masonic Benevolent Association to be used for the pur- poses of the Association. The amount to be raised by subscription amongst the members, and in the event of the subscriptions falling short of the required sum the deficit to be made up from the funds of the Lodge." The proposition was seconded by Bro. J. W. Smith, and carried unanimously. 2ist July. ^—Th.^ subscriptions of the individual mem- bers of the Lodge having aggregated Rs. 290, a contri- bution of Rs. 250 was voted from the Lodge funds, to make up the donation to the Masonic Association as a memorial of the late Bro. Kingj the votes due in respect of this donation to be exercised by the Worshipful Master of Lodge " St. George " for the time being. It was resolved to present Past Master's jewels to Bros. W. R. Macdonell, R. S. Brown, and H. C. Wright, " when the funds should permit." During this year the Lodge held 8 meetings, and the MTork done was i initiation, 2 passings, 2 raising-s, and I joining. On the other hand there were 2 resignations, I death, and 3 brethren (who had long left India) were excluded for non-payment of dues. i8g2. igth January.^ An expression of the profound grief felt by the members of the Lodge at the death of H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence and Avondale was re- corded on the minutes, and copy thereof sent to H. R. H. the District Grand Master. Bro. James William Smith was elected an honorary member of the Lodge, he having resigned membership 9 66 on being appointed Grand Master of All Scottish Free- masonry in India. i6th February. — ^Bro. G. K. Heinrichs having been re-elected as W. M., appointed the following officers : — W. N. Fleming, S. W. W. L. Harvey, S. D E. Lambrinudi, J. W. F. C. Allen, J. D. H. C. Wright, Treasurer. Chas. H. Ross, I. G C. Greenway, Secretary. J. H. Burrett, Tyler The Lodge held 6 meetings during the year for the transaction of routine business. i8^j. 2ist February. — Bro. H. Courtenay Wright having been elected Master was duly installed. Officers were appointed as follows : — W. L. Harvey, S. W. F. C. Allen, J. W. W. R. Macdonell, Treas. C. Greenway, Secretary. H. J. R. Hemming, S. D. R. S. Brown, J. D. G. P. Millett, I. G. J. H. Burrett, Tyler. A sum of Rs. I DO, with Steward's fee of Rs. 40, was voted as a donation to the Masonic Association. igth December. — At this meeting a letter was read from Bro. Valentine Reid forwarding the old minute books (two) of Lodge "St. George" from its opening which had been found among a lot of old papers at the Oriental Bank by Bro. Mure (the liquidator of the bank). The thanks of the Lodge were tendered to these brethren. Eight meetings were held during this year, but the attendance of members was very small. The meeting in R. S. Brown, S. D. A. C. Trapp, J. D. R. A. English, I. G. J. H. Burrett, Tyler, 67 August, though called, was not held, as a majority of thd members of the Lodge were occupied on that day, nth, with military and other duties connected with the sup- pression of the Hindo-Mahommedan riots. The year closed with 16 resident and 19 absent members. z8g^. zoth Febrmry^ — Bro. William Leathem Har* vey, I.C.S., was installed as Master, and the undermen" tioned officers appointed : — H. J. R. Hemming, S. W. G. P. Milktt, J. W, G. K. Heinrichs, Treas. W. R. Macdonell, Sec. During the year 10 regular meetings were held, and work done ; — 3 initiations, 4 craftings, 3 raisings, and 5 joinings. There was i death and i resignation, being a net gain of 6 members to the Lodge. i8g^. igth February. — Bro. George Owen Wm, Dunn was installed as Master. Officers appointed : — G. P. Millett, S. W. ] E. Maconochie, S. D. W. E. Leveson, J. W. R. S. Brown, J. D. G. K. Heinrichs, Treas. E. V. D. Parr, L G. H. C. Wright, Sec. J. H. Burrett, Tyler. 16th July. — It was resolved to send a letter of con-' dolence to the family of the late Bro. Hussey, District Grand Secretary. A subscription list circulated among the members on behalf of his family aggregated Rs. 750. 21st August. — Lord Sandhurst, G. C. L E., Gov- ernor of Bombay, was elected as a joining member. This year the Lodge held 10 meetings, 3 candidates were (initiated, 2 crafted, and 2 raised ; 4 joining mem- bers were admitted, and 3 resignations recorded. 68 i8<)6. \Wi February.- was installed as Master, invested : — -Bro. George Prideaux Millett The following officers were Lord Sandhurst, S. W. E. V. D. Parr, S. D. F. C. Allen, J. W. T. G. R. Finney, J. D. H. C. Wright, Treas. Lt H. C. Boyle, I. G. W. Leveson, Sec. J. H. Burrett, Tyler. A sum of Rs. 250 was voted towards the Masonic Hall Building Fund. \(>th Jufie.^The. Lodge unanimously tendered its heartiest congratulations to the W. M. on his approach- ing marriage, and a subscription was raised to present him with a wedding gift. 20th October. — A congratulatory address was resolved to be sent to Bro. W. L. Harvey, Past Master, on his marriage, and the members subscribed for a wedding present to be sent him. x'jth November. — The Lodge was honored with the presence as a visitor of Bro. J. C. Parkinson, of the "Royal Alpha " Lodge, Past Grand Deacon of England, and Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Middlesex. /<%>/. A regular meeting was held at Government House, Malabar Point, on i6th February, when H. E. Lord Sandhurst, G. C. L E., Governor of Bombay, was installed as W. J\L for the ensuing year. The officers being,— F. C. Allen, S. W. E. C. B. Acworth, J. W. H. C. Wright, Treas. R.M.Watson-Smyth, Sec. The sum of Rs. 250 was voted as a donation Masonic Hall Building Fund. A. H. B. Froom, E. Comber, R. A. A. Jenkins, J. H. Burrett, S. D. J. D. L G. Tyler. to the 6g 20th April. — A circular from . the District Grand Lodge was read pointing out the recent alteration in Rule 189 of the Book of Constitutions, that any brother belonging to other Constitutions, if elected as a joining member of the Lodge, must declare in open Lodge his adhesion to the laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge of England. Bro. V. C. French painted for the Lodge a new silken banner (the old one being torn and decayed). The thanks of the lodge were tendered to this brother for his kindness. The new banner was first displayed at the laying of the Foundation Stone of the 'new Masonic Hall on the Esplanade by H. E. the Governor of Bombay, Pro-District Grand Master, an ,5th June. i8g8. i6th February. — The regular meeting was held at Government House, Malabar Point,, |When. Bro-. Frederick Charles Allen was installed as W. M.,.and the following officers invested : — E. C. B. Acworth, S. W. A. H. B. Froom, J. W. G. K. Heinrichs, Treas. V. C. French, Sec. E. Comber, S.D. R. A. A. Jenkins, J. D. Dr. S. E. Prall, I. G. J. H. Burrett, Tyler. Lord Sandhurst, the retiring master, briefly reviewed the work of the Lodge during his tenure of office. There had been i initiation, i passing, and i raising, also 2 joining members, and unfortunately i resignation. The receipts from all sources had been Rs. 2,831, and ex- penditure Rs. 1,674 ; the balance in Treasurer's hands being Rs. 1,914, and outstandings Rs. 526, all of which was considered good. 70 The sum of Rs. i,ooo was voted as a donation to the Masonic Hall Building Fund, and a further sum of Rs. 250 to the Masonic Association Charity Fund. 2ist June.-^ThQ following changes were made in the officers :— R. A. A Jenkins, S. D. | Dr. S. E. Prall, J. D. Nigel F. Paton, I. G. Bro. Shields reminded the brethren that the Lodge had now completed fifty years existence, having been opened in May 1848. A committee was appointed to consider in what manner the Jubilee of the lodge should be recognised. xgthfuly. — The Lodge resolved to commemorate its Jubilee by holding a banquet to which the officers of all other Lodges in Bombay should be invited, and to publish a history of the Lodge from its formation to the present time. It was also decided to petition the RL W. Grand Master to sanction the Lodge striking a special Jubilee medal. A proposal was brought forward to resuscitate thfe Royal Arch Chapter formerly attached to this Lodge, which was carried unanimously. \6th August. — A special gathering was held after the regular work of the lodge, to commemorate its JUBILEE, and an account of the proceedings, which appeared in the local " Times of India, " is reproduced here as it was full and accurate. 71 IMPORTAN-F-MASONIC GATHERING IN BOMBAY. THE JUBILEE OF LODGE " ST. GEORGE." The members of Lodge " St. George," No. 549, E.G., the premier Masonic Lodge of this city, celebrated the Jubilee of the Lodge on Tuesday evening at the Masonic Hall, Byculla, in the presence of a large and influential gathering of the members of the Craft. The refreshment-room on the ground-floor was transformed for the occasion into a fashionable reception hall, which was decorated with flags and bunting, and embellished with flowers and evergreens which were skilfully worked in elegant Masonic symbols and designs. On the stair- case leading up to the first floor was surmounted a transparency with the words " Welcome to the Jubilee of Lodge ' St. George' " inscribed on it. Representa- tives of about a dozen Lodges working in Bombay under the English and the Scotch Constitutions were invited, and they all mustered in full force to do honour to the occasion. It was a cosmopolitan gathering of Europeans, Parsees, Jews, Hindoos and Mahomedans^ The Lodge was opened at 6-30 p.m. for the trans- action of business laid down in the summons convening the meeting, which was presided over by Wor. Bro. F. C. Allen, the Worshipful Master of the Lodge. At the termination of the business, Wor. Bro. R. S. Brown, a Past Master of the Lodge, in addressing the brethren, said that on an occasion like the present, when the Lodge was celebrating the Jubilee of the fifty years of its existence, he would make a few observations previous to his moving a short resolution congratulating the Lodge and the Worshipful Master oa that auspi- cious event It did not fall to everyone's lot to be present, and still less to be present in his own Lodge, on the occasion of the accomplishment of the Jubilee of fifty years of its existence. The period might not appear long compared with the time immemorial during which their Fraternity had existed, nor could it be long in comparison with the history of the countries and races to which they all belonged ; but at the same time it was a circumstance which did not always obtain in the case of all human institutions, and it was therefore a matter of great congratulation to themselves, and he hoped to the Fraternity generally, that they had been permitted during the last fifty years, and without any interruption, to carry on the work of Freemasonry in Bombay. (Applause.) He would not detain the brethren by any lengthy remarks, but he might however obsen-e that it must have occurred to their minds, as it had occurred to his mind, that the experience of the last fifty years transcended the experience of a majority of the brethren present that evening, the long period carrying them back to the time when Bombay, and for the matter of that the whole of India, must have been in a very different condition than what they were in at present. The changes made in Bombay as regarded its buildings, its government, its trade, and its general advancement, must have been immense. As regards its connection with the Western world, it should not be forgotten that in those days it took them a period of three or four months to accomplish the voyage which had now been reduced to a few days. The prosperity of the town, 73 though slightly eclipsed at the present moment, had advanced by leaps and bounds, and it was a matter for congratulation that side by side with the prosperity arid general advancement of the town, Freemasonry had also taken a deep root in the city, and Lodge "St. George" had not only survived, but had increased in its numbef and influenqe., (Applause.) He thought that they might fairly consider that while, on the one hand, it should inspire them with gratitude that Providence had enabled them to carry on the work of the Lodge for such a long period, they should, on the other hand, look forward with confidence that if all the changes that had taken place during that time had resulted in an enormous spread of Freemasonry, they might a4so confidently believe that in the future the same progress might be continued. ^Applause.) He then proposed that the Worshipful Master be asked to accept the congratula- tions of the Lodge over which he had the good fortune to preside at a time when it had reached the fiftieth year of its existence, and that the members of the Lodge expressed their gratitude for favours received and their confidence in the usefulness of the Lodge in the future, (Loud applause.) Wor. Bro. H. J. Parsons seconded the resolution, and it was carried unanimously. The Lodge having been closed, dinner was served, covers being laid for about eighty members. The table was most tastefully and artistically decorated, being adorned with many of the silver trophies belonging to the Worshipful Master, aud the tout ensemble reflected the greatest credit on Mrs. Arnold Jenkins, who had spent much time and trouble in superintending the arrange- ments. 74 At 8-15 p.m. the string band of the 21st Bombay Infantry, which was present by the kind permission of the ofEcCTS of the regiment, played the *' Roast Beef of England." The proceedings of the evening were much enlivened by the band playing a few selections and some of the brethren giving songs and recitations during intervals. At the termination of the dinner, Wor. Bro. F. C. Allen, the Wor. Master, who presid- ed at the banquet, gave the toast of "The Queen- Empress and the Craft," which was cordially received. The Wor. Master then proposed the toasts of H.R.H- the Prince of Wales, Most Worshipful Grand Master, the Grand Master Masons of Scotland and Ireland, H. R. H. the Duke of Connaught and Straithnairn, District Grand Master of Bombay and its territories, and H. E. Lord Sandhurst, Pro District Grand Master of Bombay, and they were all duly honoured by the Brethren, Wor. Bro. R. S. Brown next proposed the toast of the Grand Master and officers of the Grand Lodge of All Scottish Freemasonry in India, observing that they were always welcome to Lodge " St George, " Wor. Bro. J. W. Smith, Past Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India, in replying to the toast, said that Wor. Bro. Brown has taken the wind out of his sails, inasmuch as he said all that could be said about the Jubilee of Lodge "St George " in his excellent oration which he delivered in the Lodge, Speaking for H. E. Lord Sandhurst, the Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India, he said that nothing could have given greater pleasure to his Excellency than to be pre- sent at the Jubilee of Lodge " St George, " but that the exigencies and business of the State only had prevented him from visiting the Lodge. 73 The Wor. Master next proposed the toast of the Deputy District Grand Master and his officers. He said that he was sure the name of Wor. Bro. Shields required tao recommendation from him. (Cheers.) He was knoAvn throughout the whole of India in the ranks of Freemasonry for the lively interest and constant thought that he had given to the Craft, not only in the present time, but also in the past. Wor. Bro. Shields had always lent the very greatest assistance, and had enabled Fremasonry to attain the present position that it had acquired in Bombay. (Cheers.) His interest in Free- masonry had been far-reaching, and he (the Wor. Master) could personally testify to the fact that his advice to him and other young Freemasons was of a most valuable kind, and he spared neither time nor trouble in further- ing the interest of the Craft. (Cheers.) In asking the assembly to drink to the health of Wor. Bro. Shields, he asked them to drink to the health of a brother who was distinguished for everything good in Freemasonry. (Cheers.) Wor. Bro. Shields was surrounded by many worthy officers, and the able way in which they assisted him to carry out his duties was proved by the very pros- perous condition in which Freemasonry in that presi- dency stood at the present moment. (Loud cheers.) Wor. Bro. Shields, in reply, said that he thought that the Wor. Master in proposing his toast had some- what overdrawn the picture which he had painted. (Cries of "No," "no.") He had always endeavoured ever since he came to Bombay, and long before he ever accepted the important post he filled at the present time, to do whatever he could for Freemasonry and the various X,odges with which he had been connected. In his present position he was supported by a body of Freemasons who had long experience, and who had 76 served the Craft in various capacities, and who had proved their ability in the chairs of various Lodges, and who now supported the Grand Master in his duties with great zeal and assiduity. The District Officers recently visited with him some of the Lodges in the mofussil at a great sacrifice of time and money, vrtiich showed that they had the interest of the Craft at heart- (Cheers.) The Won Master then proposed the toast of " The Past Masters of Lodge " St. George," and in doing so referred to the long list of distinguished Past Masters who maintained the prestige and dignity of the Lodge. Wor. Bro. H. J. Parsons, in responding to the toast on behalf of the Past Masters, remarked that the Lodge was particularly fortunate in always possessing a grand stock of Past Masters. When he entered the Lodge in the early eighties they were almost entirely Past Masters, and the Lodge was almost kept up by Past Masters. At that time Lodge ' ' St George " was, if not the most hospit- able, one of the most hospitable Lodges in Bombay. At the time when he entered the Lodge, the late Wor. Bro. Tyrrel Leith, whom they all knew and held in high esteem, was the Grand Master, and since then they had H. R. H. the Duke of Connaught at the head of affairs, and now they had H. E. Lord Sandhurst for their Grand Master — (cheers) — the latter two being members of Lodge " St. George. " Freemasonry in general was flour- ishing in Bombay, and Lodge "St. George" showed a record such as no other Lodge could show in regard to its charitable subscriptions, and its subscription to the new Masonic Hall building, in the completion of which they all took so much interest. He hoped that the Lodge would continue to flourish, and he had no doubt whatever that everyone present there would have a happy recollection of that evening. (Cheers.) 77 Won Bro. I. M. Shields then proposed the toast of success to " Lodge ' St. George ' of Bombay and the Worshipful Master," and in doing so he gave a sketch of its formation and early history, complimenting the Lodge upon the uniform support jlt had given to the Masonic charities, and its services to English Masonry, which it had been the means of fostering in Bombay and concluded by saying that in the hands of its present Won Master, Bro. Allen, who had brought to his task of guiding the destinies of the Lodge during the current year energy, ability, and courtesy, equal to any of his predecessors in the chair, there was every reason to believe that the Lodge would continue to prosper. (Loud cheers.) The brethren having duly honoured the toast sang " For he is a jolly good fellow," ^d gave three cheers for the Lodge and one for the Worshipful Master. , Won Bro. F. C. Allen, the Won Master, in reply,' said : — Brethren, — It is a proud privilege for so young a Mason as myself to be placed in the position of being able to return thanks to the toast which has been so eloquently proposed by Won Bro. Shields, and it is a still prouder privilege for the members of Lodge "St. George " to welcome as their guests this evening so many prominent members of the Craft to assist in celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the warrant under which our Lodge has been permitted to work for the past half century in Bombay. (Applause.) Questions that have doubtless been put to many of us at one time or another by the popular world who are not Masons are, " What is the good of Freemasonry?" and, "What do you gain by becoming a member of the brotherhood ? " Such questions are difficult to answer in a convincing 78 manner ; but I think that the present occasion is one which most of us might quote as pointing to an all- powerful tie which, in spite of fifty years of vicissitude in a country which must of necessity see many changes in its European inhabitants — a tie which, I say, has enabled a Masonic Lodge of Englishmen to hold to- gether in a foreign land for the long period of fifty years. (Cheers-) Many of us enter the bonds of Masonry from a feeling of curiosity and a desire to know what the peculiar secrets of the Craft are, and when those mysteries have once been ascertained, it is optional for any brother to take his vows away with him and never again attend a Lodge of Freemasons ; but, strange as it may appear to the outside world, the value of our art becomes greater as we know more of it, the great beauties of our faith grow, and we linger and remain, and, I venture to say, that no man who once becomes a Mason ever regrets the step he has taken. (Cheers.) The annals of Lodge " St. George " include the names of many men who have helped to build up the history of this city of Bombay and to render it one of the foremost in the world. Many of the most prominent men of their time, whether it was in 1848 or the present year, have had their names enrolled amongst its list of members, and, as I said just now, the bond of Masonry must be great indeed if a small Lodge like this of St. George can boast a history which includes such names as the late Wor. Bros. James Gibbs, Tyrrel Leith, and Harold King — (applause), — and of the present time H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught and H. E. Lord Sandhurst. (Cheers.) '< Masonry universal " is a sentiment which we brethren in this country can fully appreciate ; but it was left to our Wor. Bro. Dunn to bring home to the Masons of England the true meaning of the expression on the 79 occasion when our English brethren met together at the Albert Hall in London to celebrate the sixtieth year of the reign of Her Majesty the Queen-Empress. (Ap- plause.) In responding to one of the toasts he was able to say that a long residence in the East had enabled him to discover that the ties of the Craft were more powerful than any other bond, whether it was creed, caste, or lineage, and that the Light of Masonry had permitted him to meet men of all religions on the same ground of equality and even to break down the prejudices of caste and creed such as described by Shylock, who, it will be remembered, said — " I will not eat, drink, nor pray with you," because he was not of the Christian faith ; but the tenets of our peculiar laws render such restrictions impossible, and we brethren of the Craft meet on common ground — the ground of natural equality and mutual dependence. (Applause.) Brethren, I am glad to be able to say that the history of Lodge " St. George " in the present year is not likely to be dimmed by any of its forerunners. We have many ardent members, and every meeting we hold speaks to the fervency of the brethren who belong to it- It is a long cry to 1948, but when that year comes, and I hope that many of you will be present when it does — (laughter and applause) — and the Lodge has completed a century of existence — (cheers) — I am confident that whoever has the honour to be the Master on that occasion will be able to render a good account of the Lodge in the meanwhile. (Hear, hear.) Before I sit down I would beg to thank you most heartily and humbly for the kind way in which you have drunk my health, and to say that whilst the welfare of this Lodge is my welfare, it would be impossible for the Lodge to 8o be in its present state of prosperity were it not for the able and kind support I have received during the time I have been in the chair from my ofiBcers and the members as a body. (Loud cheers.) Won Bro. Shields then gave the toast of the "Visi- tors," and while doing so observed that the Worshipful Master had invited the visitors to the centenary of the Lodge, and he (Bro. Shields) only hoped that they would all be able to attend. (Laughter and cheers.) In coupling with the toast the name of Wor. Bro. Darasha R. Chichgar, he said that that brother was well-known to them all, and his excellent services to Freemasonry were probably greater than those of any other brother in Bombay. (Cheers.) To Wor. Bro. Chichgar they owed a great debt of gratitude for assist- ing them that evening in their preparations, and to him the Craft generally owed a great debt for the exertions he had made, both in the past and present, as Secretary and Treasurer of the Joint Hall Committee, and more especially for the very great help he had given in raising the fund for the building of the new hall, which they soon hoped to occupy. (Cheers.) There was also another distinguished Mason present — Wor. Bro. Tate — who he hoped would be benefited in health by his being transferred to Bombay from Sind. (Cheers.) There was also Wor. Bro. Counsell, who was one of the oldest Past Masters in English Freemasonry in Bombay and one to whom the Lodge was particularly indebted. (Cheers.) He coupled the names of Wor. Bros. Chichgar, Tate, and Counsell with the toast of the visitors. Wor. Bros. Darasha Chichgar, Tate, and Counsell responded to the toast, and in doing so wished pros- perity to the Lodge, which was second to none as regards its charities and working the rituals. 8i The Wor. Master then gave the ' Tyler's toast' which ■was drunk in solemn silence, and the brethren separated sometime after midnight. iSth October. — A letter, dated 28th September, from the Grand Secretary, was read stating that the Grand Master was unable to entertaia the application of the Lodge to be granted a Special Jubilee medal, "as having regard to the large number of Lodges which have had a continued existence for 50 years, it would create a most inconvenient precedent if the prayer of the petition were granted." Bro. J. C. Parkinson, P. G. D. of England, who kindly interested himself in the matter on behalf of the lodge wrote : — " I have had another interview with the Grand Secretary, and pointed out that your petition quoted precedents for what your Lodge applied for. He replied that the precedents quoted were quite excep- tional instances and were outnumbered to such an extent by refusals that the latter constituted a rule which could not now be broken." i8gg. 2ist February. — The retiring W. M. an- nounced that the past year had opened with 54 members, there had been 11 joinings, 7 initiations, 7 passings, and 3 raisings, also 5 resignations, and there were now 67 members on the roll, a record year of work for Lodge "St. George." The funds in hand amounted to Rs. 1,090. He mentioned that in the month of March the Lodge peon, — an old and trusted servant, — disap- peared with Rs. 57 of the lodge monies, and it was surmised that he had either fallen a victim to the plague or become entangled in the riot which occurred at that time. Brothers Allen, Acworth, Stewart, and Jenkins 82 presenteJto the lodge a set of officers' clothing, includ- ing silver chain collars for the Master and Wardens. Bro. Edward Cecil Brindley Acworth was installed: as Worshipful Master, and the following officers in- vested : — A. H. B. Froom, S.W. V. C. French, J. W. Sidney Cope, Treas. R. A. A. Jenkins, Sec. R. B. Stewart, S. D, Dr. J. G. Hojel, J. D.. G. Prier de Saone, I. G- J. H. Burrett,, Tyler» «3 Uopai flrcb CDat)ter "Saint eeorae" *as constitute sed under a Warrant from the Supreme Grand Chapter of England, dated London, 4th August 1869. The document bears the signatures of the Earl of Zetland, 2.; Earl de Grey and Ripon, H.; and Revd. John Huyshe, J. The names of the Founders, as given in the Charter, are — Andrew Hay, as Z.; Thomas Diver as H.; Chris- topher Thwaites, as J. ; John Aitken ; James Percy I^eith ; Edward Tyrrel Leith ; Forrest Loudon Brown ; Charles Archibald Langley ; Henry Herbert Grendon Tippett ; and Joseph William Seager. The Chapter was opened and consecrated by M. E. Companion the Hon'ble James Gibbs, Grand Superin^ tendent for Bombay, on the 23rd October 1869. The records, with the exception of the Attendance Book, are not to be found. The Chapter appears to have held 10 meetings only, the last being on 2nd April 1872, and the Warrant appears to have been handed over shortly after to the District Grand Secretary, in whose custody it has since remained. 84 The officers, during the period the Chapter was work- ing w^ere, as far as can now be ascertained : 1869. 1870. 187 1. Principal Z. „ H. „ J. Scribe E. „ X. Treasurer Andrew Hay ... J. Percy Leith ... M. Balfour. Thos. Diver ... E. Tyrrel Leith. Dr. H. C. Foss. I C. Thwaites ... J. P. Comforth ... Sorabji Frommurze. E. Tyrrel Leith. J. Thomas ...J.Thomas. I ' i A. F. Shepherd. A.F. Shepherd... H.GrendonTippett. ' J.P. Comforth... C. G. Herring. Prin. Sojourner.. J. J. Winton ... ...... Janitor ... J. W. Seager ... J. W. Seager ... J. W. Seager. The " Masonic Register 1872 by Bro. Tyrrel Leith, members of Chapter ' ' Saint Balfour, M., P. J. Cornforth, J. P., P.P.H. Dady, Jamsetjee N. Diver, Dr. Thos. Filgate, T. H. P. M. Foss, Dr. H. C. Hay, Andrew, P. Z. Herring, C. G. Leith, E. Tyrrel, P- H. Leith, James Percy, P.Z. for Bombay," published in gives the following list of George" : — Melville, J. Parker, F.D. Sedgewick, F. Sorabji Frommurze. Swift, Alfred. Taylor, George, P. Z. Thwaites, Christopher Thomas, John Winton, J. J. 85 Honorary Member. Hon'ble James Gibbs, District Grand Supt. The Grand Scribe E. (Colonel Shadwell H. Gierke), writing on ist September 1891, said " as the charter was granted in 1869, and we have never had any returns of members from the Chapter, can you inform me whether there were any exaltees or joining members ?" — from which it would appear that the officers of the Chapter were somewhat remiss in the performance of their duties. At the convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter held 3rd August 1898, it was resolved "that Chapter 'St. George, ' having made no returns for many years, it be removed from the roll of Chapters." The Chapter was accordingly erased and its Warrant returned. ■ ■ Notek — A petition for a- new Cliapter, to be called " St. George," dated ist November 1898, was forwarded to the Supreme Grand Chapter of England, by the undermentioned companions: — Lord Sandhurst, G.C.I. E., as Z; Hon. Justice Henry James Parsons, I.C.S., as H ; Isaac Mann Shields, as J ; Georg Karl Heinrichs ; Vincent Cluge French ; Robert Arthur Arnold Jenkins ; James Mundford ; Wm. Leathern Harvey, I.C.S.; John Tate; Richard Sneade Brown; and Thomas George Rocastle Finny. A charter, bearing date London, ist February 1899, was accordingly issued, and the Chapter was consecrated, and Principals designate jnstalled, on 6th April following. 86 'j- be •a U) 1 ^ ^ 06 15 la f ? ». a (I) s o o O ?s B ?> O « 1 O ? O 3: 8 -« oo k s (/) ,3- u °o s *• N tn fc (I] o Q 1 o O '^ c u J a te o '5 w •< ^ rt Oi CJ rt (I) CQ "^ * % -s » s: 6 •§ f. £ b g E ■" o rS ? 1^ H **, E (!) tn lU «£ e 2 _o .'« . . . % cS D^ cS cii c4 d (u S> o s u a QmQQ Q Q CO I. I. C I. o • a> cj Qj ■*J S -M -rt -^ c^ . c3 ri d •a "O-a : &&* la* •o u . c : <«> en en 00 00 00 on 00 00 CX) (^00 CO QO QQ ■* -^ -^^^^ Th^ ■•^ Tt- -^ Th 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 %'%%'% ::•:■ = !::: ^V*r'=? irjt^t^-' =§-'§-°§-'=§- ::::::::: I °9 "T"^ T" CO 00 ■*■*■ " o6 o\ o a* n in p o Ex s n5-go o O J3 : its "3 •5»? S§ £.2 „ I -" 211=0 .s-c bg g.s 3 S S 3 ®3 -S £ o o ts S ts (U u c 87 •OTI IS u CO •0-0 QQ OS. S 31 T3 ID cn v5 r» t^ J^" I-" M CO GO 1 ,M „ M N N w H.O0 M f:|::: r • 1 •■ •- . : : O O O O M w ip inxpv^ip ip lO * iV) ONVC CO ' ^ : i N N lO l-» t^ M « N tp»p p : t^ 00 »0 UTJOO J t 1 « M : • M M M . in ' : r M N i : ; : : - . Th ■ijt- ip o ^1 ■ t : : r 5 6 » Jr? ■■: :• n ■•■■■' ■■■'■•11 ON ON 0\0 Tvo ; t^ M M N A ' An ' y!) 7 M q6 00 M IH ON N w w M 4^ r : Ip N 1 ; : = : -^ F : ; : : ' :W : i "5 = S . . . u jj rt .2 : : •3 d S o^-i^tfl 13 2 . c : O (U S OJ S 5 &:ffi 2i>iffi-§ S-S ■ a) al>^ (U 0)^ Urn S;3 iSooco^ .0^ AOOffiO 88 B to U,-l be < a c J3 Id Q Sr.O > \- o rf it: ° "S o X o c o o o o o o CCQQQQ 13 = Cil u «> y o C X : 0] :r r^ • nJ • s rt ^ SS VO 10\0 r,vo *-. *>. : E ■a ■a n( ^ u ^ < §9 00 o rt c« a U (U u PPcg O O so 00 ~ d -4-1 03 +J c- o o ^• UUCJU o c ••a 9^0 Qw «3 CO ". d o Z TJoD UUCJ :WWM ' t-o ~ O N O 00 W M o* ■a a : : t*"? 'Soo *K O 'en '55' I 'tU CO (U OJ o f bp : : ? : CO IB : : Y>vo 5 : i ;: T ^ : 1 o o\ : : r>- N N t-i ■ M M a « M CO '-' C» to lO o\ 0^ o\ o o M lO lO lO VD VO \0 l*" ^ : ; : : : : A « ; : : m o^v6 »0 xX' *^ CTiQO N O O O M M CI N N 0\ (T^ 0\ O O i-i lO to lO \D \D^^ CO* ; I 1 I ;] MMj jjODCOtO cq * 7 7 o o M N CO CO C4 « C) r< N ;::::;;:tu:i ::;•'• U C/J • : : : S : : >^.SJ : : :^ : i, : : '2'-' >-S t/3 1— i,c/3 i-3i-T.i-,!> go Co 00 00 CO 00 X«5 ^ \D \o ^ VO CO 00 OC 00 00 00 ^ " c r d • ^-fi"^ J5 >-5 ^T3 > •< t; U :^s S^ S ■z itt & ^" . te" . fe" d J3 ^PQ •5° -g Cfl 3 s s 3 Ui U (U -b> w W Cfl w iid duo d do d : : : w' w [li ; : : : :w : : : MM ; : w ; : : s : : « . . o o ' ' t^92 > ' ' * \?* ' * a ' ' " m ^^ ^ -1- COVO VD r^Ti- ^-J^ ^DOO^g N t^ t^ 1 CO e» S*"? j>^o ys t^vO VO \D •^ t^ : : : : I 1 '« 606 dh : : ►^ 1 ^ M CO . co^ : "P : M HH (U CO N ►-< <-< (0 NOOOO N CO (M 9 S" ■9 ; : : -"d- o\« • ' Z : : "r -^ypvp r- : r Z I ■3 ' 6 v6 7 w 0^ M M o> ■ '^l' A. ■ ■ »— > « N « 00 " M W N ro -^ c^ Tj- -^t- Tt- ri- ^ 10 tn 10 10 1 MJ)V£)VD kO ^O vD vO VD vo iT ^ "9 ^ vo yp OSO T : : : QO V°9 ■f t'T'" ; ; r ! N ; jt : j!- : 1^*^ ;i t^ 7 6 ' ' ' 00 t^O) Cr» C^ 0^ • 6^ ' • " ' 7 ' :h ■06 ■0600 t- U-J M ►H (I w d (-* (-1 t^ »-t l-l -< ■ S^ 7 M in • 6 " CU '"' « HH N HH M N 10 M N M C4 N f) i-tMHN NNCOCOfO coco 'd' lOUDiO lOlO liO t^ -• ; '. ; cq M cov£> -^--OSW - - - 'O rMi-fM Tnn I I I •••»_mI ■! 'if* ••••i-i>l II 'I I •-< "sD >- II t>.\o O "^ I I t^ t>. t-» h-i 1-t PI'Hr) \0\0'-'MN HHlO 00 l-IMM MN ::::::: E^ ::::::::::: ;:;:: : 3 -tJ ID g c S 3 « F §s5 OJ V. O rt O 13 SSd-g am Sw^ r c K c : ^ Q 5 "•a iH ? ^ s «) Or g m I- b ni ;_ Sk rn.S-a fe != & lOfcM ffl oj ^ to « W (U o 'ojs! but ^> C C Jr lU h 91 00 00 vo Co ^vo'iS o " o cnQco 00 (U Q •o u 0100 ^> .2 00 u ;> ^roojj QQ Q OU (J O U :W lO c I ill 1^ &.g 00 -■ ni oi 0^ lO ■ 00 ■ M HI I I COCO O •-, M « N W hn CO CO « "H A 00 6 tUJ ChCO t)j3 A bflCO N 1 CO I "S CO t-^'m I "m tH M \0 MQjMHiqjMiUCON •:J- Td- -it^O C^ CO CO . lO CO O ' 00 00 V vo '^ M w CO CTi 6\ob : c bin I- >-. C ^ G C « 2 ag n-c go o.S § =3 m w CO u "U u c a . O . n! U QQ J^ .2 &>" •> sC f) O "^ leH 03 -g •^; c 2.Q 3 O O -y biO , lu . "! K "g --g - , CUO^J^'-J-SrHl-; ll^^i"ajs^ c ' o o u , rt ^i-l m •a > W .fcH TO K. „ U a ^S g o S S ^ a 5 £ " c > C3 C ^ « c « 2 t/3 . c S'3 c ■ J3 &is c ^- O (U «J 2 c a si o u (U 'C£i ai 0,1 3 S d 2J5-M k: a c . d J3 OJ d >— 1 5o53 Q2 X ac II- ^CO Q ^Q Q tj'J J -J -J cJ cJcJ 60 quo _:a ; :/.ir.a : :a : r : :^a r :ag r :WtnW -n " "-C7\eo *-^ '* '«io' 'vD- ' "3 ro\x> - -■ t^ CI ^ • ^ r^x r* i-o— o--7*rT c\TT"5 7 "i "STV— - r^ ^J!> t*aot.ty *^ ucQi- C^ C\ C>OC\ O 00 -- r*Ocot-> 00 o ■^ \0 r* t^t^ t^ t^ *^r^r^ ^00 ^: — fir* : '■-• : 'r rio" I : — n : C-^o-— '77 ' *77T * 06 ' "^ ' 'At ' "i^7 ' *in7T 0\ 00 00000 - «Oco N I Ju-, - r^ SinioTp* 3ioio* ^•^t - ^^ vo r I ' 7 ' 'r^x ' ' *<^^».'^*^'t^^*" *co * 'i>.(U' w a\ OCT\ 00000 >-'■-' to f^ \o t^\o ^'^ *^ r-r^ t^*^ r^i^ 7 ' 'iri7 '^* '»/5io*»^ 'ur5C\ '—CO "^ 06 r^ «- WW- N'-' «^ o . ;-- ; • --•-■ .-«-3*^t^. ;-" : ;"^'^; •■:: 7 " '77 ' ' ocoo 'xiriiou^' 'At^' 'iViio' I ^ _ =i- ^ :-;urc:or;.oJ:.c::^--, :j!:r:c c§ S o ^ ^^ ^.^^^ y ^^ I •- — -* r: !-. Si* r" _ *- " . ~ "" r" _ -j" J •— . ^J _ — -J -" i-r 93 ir! ^- O *" ft- .SB Ward( h Jan. en T3 t^ qW- « go " %-^l •s &.11 QQQ s QQO o . 3 (-1 H W_ ucJcJ du (jd d d o "i dddd ou uo< is rWWW WW KH-W : :W : I .J :(4W'Wcfl : : W(^: tWwg g^g.^ 0, a^^^sm ^ gg g:^ ^^ |_ <^ i>- CO*^ ^P^?*^ i*r* ?^°° ^^ 9^ CO CO CO ri-«rco oO'-t' tHOw;oQ>^r t-i q\^ m '. t : co-'o*ol co o M i-\o "-(,o\oo MM?*^ 00 To «- o6 6 fO M N M inin COM..CO cr3:::.i-(« ilu-jiO o^T' o^ ON*"''Au^ '*6A M H. w w PI N N !co«j:co eOjt'jNM ON 0\ N h : i m >. |"cg§!o« d" § ^§^ ^ ■§=£ i§ .= 1^^ " wSuHft; w^ w^^M,i°w (^^^,£,fewKffi wudfOu ^ 94 E 2 00 c •a ^ 3 1 T) a o •o u •o T. m o Q Q D Q .•a am il . , , , d r/1 :Ka . . d £Ji " N ' ^ 2^ *w C u — — c c in «_ c\« •^ -1 u GJ o C) o\ C\QO ON X X X X (JMIO CNX 5.^5 ; 6 : M ! N lO ; o ; ^AcA ; ! ^ 00 -op : 10*0 hf C4 ^i-^ 7 ' lo N \0 ■ ■rh ^ ^.S • »!, m "" 2S « " " N « "^ a y r7\ o ^ ^ „ „ ^ _ « « n « •a r^ en X X X X ^ ^ X X X g : - ro — M M •r: ; 4- : 1^6 : w o n „ „ )-• ^ to « -3 *r*r°P UJ X X CO 00 ; \D "N PI ! |i- ; I t*) • "0 ; o o : >- •-• ; : ' 1^.7 »ln N * ■ ' w^ to * ' . . . ^ 7 ■ ■ "- CO N O „ „ t- - p» N *^ t^ r^x CO X X CO .XI 1/3 lO - - ; « ; ; c « ' -d- r t^t^ I I '. o o ; ; £ 6 ■ o 7 o *r * ' iV) h. (^.■v 7 7 « « 00 « t^ t^ asc^o r\ _ _ „ -J r^r^r^ r- 00 X X X op 00 rt Tj- Tj-r^ N I <-l ? ! ; : « : VO t ; H ! ^^ I .■^ lO lO "~ , n 7 vn 6 ►^ " — ^- o C4 « t^ « • :; : • ■ • • - ; ^ - ; • • ,us .- w xOa, 3:-^ Sis 3 • — " 3 o : o : . >^^ : P ■£ -2 -i '• d a c "E& - > C a • i j= o '■X <' -i ?j • '^ - ^ r^ = 3-. i ^^l^OiJ^ ^^^M E 5i u ;J 5 ^ ■73 u h 95 4 H in VO ^% *-> UN t- M • m QU ou 00 CO ONONOO 00 00 ON a\ Osoo CXJ CO 6 ; « ; >-< CO N 6 CO ••vA ; <^) ^ : I * tX) 00 CO coco 00 CO CO 00 CO CO CO ; ; VD N CO ; .' xV) * ; 410*^ c^ ; I ; T ; : 10 CX) fT. w on rr^ CO M on ' ■ ' l>- M N M N "N M N CO CO CO r^ in \0 VO VO \0 VO t-* O) 00 00 CO 00 00 CO CO CO CO CO ; ! ; lO l-l N I I : ■ ^ I I CO -^ -^i^. ; I M * I t 7 to n>nn M vn n 6 ^^ t-H O CJ « N N vn « N CO ^ 10 VD VO VD VO VO 00 00 00 00 CO 00 00 00 00 CO uo CO • 6 • £ ^■^ : ui M : ! r C^ M CO ro c^ t : I I CO ■ V n »-" iV^ilo r>. 0\V0 VO VO 10 « M M M a M . • > . - : • J 3 ' ■ h i : : • • • • • ) ■ • • • ■| ■ = • ■■■■■■■ ■p;.5p- ■ "5 -^ • •§ • oRrJlu mo OSes C '-CfetlS ■'S'-?, da ^S ^ .§'-> -•a,.2 S «j^t:--m c s 11 .11 sf|s,s|i|«^ !ll?|i!l ■*- vo i : : m : : s ::::::::: J ::: : 5 t; - <» § 5;:^ 1 ^ g1 1 fe il 1=^ . .S ^ -J s S c .B-"^ s wjx^ dec* J^ = CO ^ _ ■- 4i -r^ ~ c g i3 3--^ g 2- ? -J X J c-H t; ^ -= ..^^--i-S • — "3"^.o3S-f, s•-5^"a_23"-'uc=! 97 .a .2 -s a Q Q do. ~ t^lOl^ ON ino OMO I-" CO M M CO rrt-I^ M N ^ L. c R c 1) CJ . d) :S ?^ s : V : ; : : ■s ? : : ; ; CO ; : ; ; : ; ; :S-H fc 5:^ 0^ rt s 1 CO (Ti VO ON ON ; ; : : : : o : ?^ ■ J ; ; ; ; ; « ; - V^ :!- won ON ON <^ (!- t^ ON vovi M M * f : 1^ n- VO VO VO t^KDSD ; V^ ; h ; • .. - ; A • ON ON s^ ONONIS ■ M l-H M M • t^ o oo iDI> i> M vn ON^O M ONI> 6 t^ HI M »H ^ ^ in '^ VO ^ . cr \r. OS VO VO VO ON^DNO ONVOVO VD : : A • f^ ; • - ; V^ fi^ '.' t OVON v^ t^i 9^9^ M ONONON - - \ ' ■ • • IH • 9^ t-i *■ • A to to M invo- M g\g\ON ■ ■ wS vo l> ON h-. t^ J>- in (j\\D t^ in in in M w M M -d- •* VD \£HO VO ON . - « v* • . . ON D • - nO^ ON ON ON 0\ On On On ON . - r ■ • ■ "T °P M c*? ■* in' CO 00 00 m ; • ^ 00 fo in t^ HH >H i^Hi ON 00 00 CO CO ►H M N • » •* • • • « K • . . i : J 2- ! . • • • r- . ■ • w Woo ^ *3 T3 >^ Itsi'ifiiiiriMlii "!£ = = ••oc .ooJi,vo-l!S=5ta-3cj 99 APPENDIX. The following documents, although not actually relating to the history of Lodge "St. George," are interesting, as they refer to some of the early members and founders of that lodge, and this will be sufficient excuse for introducing them here. Memorandum. "The Provincial Grand Master of Western India having been pleased, through his Secretary, and by means of printed and written circulars and notices, to denounce lodge " Perseverance," No. 351, to members of the craft and to others as a lodge under suspen- sion, and as considerable injury has thereby been already done to the said lodge, it feels called upon, at this crisis, to vindicate itself before the Masonic World by circulating among the craft copies of its appeal to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Scotland against certain arbitrary, unjust, and illegal Resolutions passed at a meeting of Freemasons held in an unconsecrated room in the house of the Provincial Grand Master on the 30th June 1856, and by him improperly designated a Meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Western India, and to render the matter plainer, a brief explan- ation of the origin of the present difficulty between this lodge and the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Western India is here given. By a convention among the various masonic bodies in Bombay working under the Grand Lodge, and under the Supreme Grand Chapter, of Scotland, it was agreed on the 30th March 1853, to rent suitable apartments for their mutual accommodation. lOO Early in the past year the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Western India (then Worshipful Master of Lodge " Perseverance," and now Provincial Grand Master of this Province) in collusion w ith the Master of Lodge " Rising Star," and with the Principals of the Royal Arch Chapter of " Perseverance," but without reference to their respective constituents, was pleased to admit to all the benefits and privileges of this convention, an English Lodge called "St. George," which the pre- sent Provincial Grand Master of Western India, when holding the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master, assisted in reviving, and which he has ever since supported with both his purse and influence. The full effect and design of this arrangement became apparent and evident to the members of Lodge ' ' Perseverance " in the month of January of the present year, and feeling that as Bombay was a section of the Province of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, it was not just to that Most Worshipful body to foster a lodge independent of its jurisdiction, Lodge "Perseverance," to which solely the whole of the property in the rooms taken by the convention belonged, believing the intro- duction of Lodge "St. George" to be unauthorised and improper, declared such introduction to be a breach of the convention, and, as the principal masonic body interested in the matter, demanded in effect, that the rooms should be given up to it. This demand, which was by no means either uncon- stitutional or inequitable, aroused the ire of the Provin- cial Grand Master of Western India, because, unhappily for the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Scotland which he represented in Western India, and that of the Provincial Grand Lodge over which he presides, he lOI happened to be one of the most prominent resuscitators and supporters of the said Lodge " St. George," which is not only not in subjection to the Grand Lodge of Scotland, or the Provincial Grand Lodge of Western India, but actually antagonistic thereto, which is evinced by its letter to this lodge dated the i6th May 1855, which will be found in the Appendix to the accompanying appeal.* Lodge "Perseverance" having taken this position, and repudiated the claim of Worshipful Brother Lawford Acland, the Master of the said English Lodge " St. George," to membership in Lodge *' Perseverance," in which he had not been affiliated, and thereby having ignored his right to hold the office of Depute Provincial Grand Master, or in fact any office in the Provincial Grand Lodge of Western India, the Provincial Grand Master on the 13th May 1856 threatened that, unless certain resolutions passed by the Lodge in this matter were rescinded, he would "close" or "shut up," {Anglice suspend) the Lodge. Under these circumstances, the majority of its mem- bers considered it advisable to place the lodge at once under the immediate protection of its Supreme Head, the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and in doing so entered minutely into their ground of action. A copy of their appeal was, in conformity with the constitutions, duly served on the Provincial Grand Master, and notwithstand- ing such service the "resolutions" against which the accompanying memorial is a faithful protest, were passed. By command of the Worshipful Master, J. G. Lawrence, Bombay, 2m June 1856. Secretary. ■* Vide ante page 17. I02 Unto the Most Worshipful the Grand Master Mason, the Right Worshipful the Office- bearers AND Members of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. The petition of appeal of Lodge " Perseverance, " No. jsr, against the acts of the Provin- cial Grand Master of Western India herein particularly set- forth Humbly shevoeth : 1. That the Provincial Grand Master of Western India and seventeen other Brethren, met at the private residence of the said Provincial Grand Master, and having in an unconsecrated room performed the cere- mony of opening lodge styled themselves the Pro- vincial Grand Lodge of Western India, and passed the eleven resolutions of which a copy is here- with sent (Appendix A.) 2. That the following are the names of the Brethren who were present at the said meeting with the names of oiSces by virtue of which they claimed to vote thereat: — H. D. Cartwright, P. G. M. P. W. LeGeyt, Past P. G. M. L. Acland, Depute P. G. M. G. R. Ballingall, Substitute P. G. M. C. M. I. Pollock, S. P. G. W. H. Forman, J. P. G. W. D. Smith, P. G. Treasurer. J. Taylor, P. G. Secretary. Manockjee Cursetjee, P- G. Clerk. T. E. Darke, P- G. Architect. t03 J. Evans, P. G. Jeweller. D. Campbell, P. G. Dir. of Ceremonies- Mirza AH Mahomed Khan, P. G. Marshal. M. H. Scott, Pres., P. G. Steward's Lodge. A. Jordan, P. G. Steward. Mahomed Saduck, P. G. Steward. G. J. Bowyer, P. G. Steward. W. H. S. Crawford, P. G. Steward. 3. That of the abovenamed eighteen Brethren, five only have any legal title to the offices to which they lay claim, namely. Right Worshipful Brother H. D. Cartwright, the Provincial Grand Master, by virtue of a commission from your Most Worshipful Lodge ; Right Worshipful Brother G. R. Ballingall, the Sub- stitute Provincial Grand Master ; Right Wor- shipful Brothers C. M. L Pollock and H. Forman, respectively, Senior and Junior Provincial Grand Warden ; and very Worshipful Brother Taylor, Pro- vincial Grand Secretary, each by virtue of a com- mission from the Provincial Grand Master. 4. That the appointments of thirteen other Brethren are null and void according to the constitutions (cap. xiii, sec. 3, and other laws.) because — L Worshipful Brothers P. W. LeGeyt and L. Acland, two of the said thirteen are not, and were not, on the 30th June 1856, ^'members of lodges within the Province;" and moreover, Worshipful Brother P. W. LeGeyt is not " resident in the District during greater part of the year," nor in fact during any part of the year, his place of I04 residence being Calcutta, 1,200 miles off; and Worshipful Brother Acland is wo/ "on the roll of the Grand Lodge. " II. The remaining eleven Brethren were not " elected by t/ie P. G. Lodge " to the offices they claim to hold, but were illegally appointed by the P. G. M., notwithstanding the remonstrance of Worshipful Brother G. S. Judge, the Worshipful Master of this lodge, who at the time of making such remonstrance pointed out to the Provincial Grand Master the Law (cap. xiii, sec. 3) which prescribed the proper and legal mode of appointing such office-bearers. III. Three of the lastmentioned eleven Brethren, namely, Brothers Manockjee Cursetjee, D. Campbell, and J. Evans, are not, and were not, on the said 30th June, ' ' members of lodges within the Province," the lodge ' ' Rising Star, " to which they formerly did belong, having been officially reported to the Provincial Grand Master, by its W. M., as having been placed in abeyance. 1\. The President of the Provincial Grand Stewards' Lodge, by virtue of his claim to which office Brother M. H. Scott attended the said meeting and voted thereat, is not, according to the constitutions, an office- bearer, or member of the Provincial Grand Lodge ; and even if he were, the said office is an elective one in the Provincial Grand Stewards' Lodge, and as the Provincial I05 Grand Stewards' Lodge, if there be such a lodge in the Province, has never met; Brother M. H. Scott could not have been elected to preside over it, as in fact he has not. V. The Grand Stewards do not appear by the con- stitutions (cap. I, sees, i and 2) to be office- bearers or members of the Grand Lodge, and therefore Brothers A. Jordan, Mahomed Saduck, G. J. Bowyer, and W. H. S, Crawford, who attended the said meeting as Provincial Grand Stewards were not, and are not, office- bearers of the Provincial Grand Lodge. 5. That as there were only five officers and mem- bers of the Provincial Grand Lodge present at the said meeting of the 30th June 1856, and as it requires seven to form a lodge, just, perfect, and regular, the said five masons did not constitute a Provincial Grand Lodge, and were in fact not competent either to open lodge or to transact any business. 6, That seven of the Masons present at the said meeting of the 30th June, namely, Right Worshipful Brothers H. D. Cartwright, G. R. Ballingall, C. M. I. Pollock, Worshipful Brother L. Acland, Brothers D. Smith, M. H. Scott, and G. J. Bowyer are mem- bers of the English Lodge "St. George," and were members of it when the said Lodge by its letter of the i6th May 1855 (Appendix B), proposed to this lodge to be false to its allegiance to your Most Worshipful Lodge ; and that with the exception of Worshipful Brother P. W. LeGeyt who, being in Bombay merely on a 14 ro6 short visit, knows nothing of the merits of the questioit^ the said seven Brethren were in a worldly sense the most influential Brethren present, most of the others being in someway uader their infiluence. 7. That with the exceptioa of the 2ni and 8th Eesolutions, every r^wlutioa passed at the said meeting of the 30th June was proposed by one of the said seven members of the Ejiglidi Lodge " St. George," and that the 2nd, 6th, gth, loth, and nth resolutions were seconded by one of the said seven members of the English Lodge " St. George." 8. That this Lodge in appealing agasai^ lihe acts of the Provincial Grand Master in styE^ an irregular meeting of masons, held in an unconsecrated room, a Provincial Grand Lodge, and in illegally declaring this Lodge suspended at the said meetings respectfully submits to your Most Worshipful Lodge that the 6th resolution, declaring this lodge suspended, and irt feet all the said eleven r^olutions passed at the said meeting are null and void, for the following reasons : — L Because^ there being as. above shown, only five officers and members of the Provincial Grand Lodge present at the said meetings there were not sufifcieat present to constitute a PVovincial Grand Lodge, just, perfect^ and regular. U. Because, not only u-as this Lodge not fumisheti with a copy of the petition or complaint made against it, as it ought to have beeoi according to the constitutions, (cap. xiii,> sec. 9,, and cap. xv, sec. 2)^. but the Pro- vincial Grand ISiasteir afctually re-fused 'm dpfen lodge on the 21st May 1856, to tell this LofiGE who was its accuser, and of wha!t it was accused (Appendix C). In. Because, not crtily'was tio notice sent 'to this Lodge in conformity with constitutions ^(cap. xiii, set. 9, an^ cap. xv, sec. 3), but not even the slightest intimation was given to it that aifty Charges would be preferred against ft at 'the said mfieti'hg c^ the 3otih }une. SV. Because, €ven if 'tlie said rihefetihg of the 30th June W&s iht Provincial Grand Lodge of Western India, the condemnatioa by it of Lodge "Perseverance,'" No. 351, without (giving it an opportunity of defending itselif is opposed to evfery iprinoiple of justice, a inasmuch as it designates expressions admitted by the Provincial Grand Master himself in open Lodge (Appen* dix E) to have been made by him as " said to have been used ;" that it is absurd, inasmuch as it speaks of a threat made by the Provincial Grand Master to the Worshipful Master of this Lodge, to the effect that he Would suspend this Lodge, as made in private and Ill unofficial conversation, it being contrary to common sense to hold that such a threat could be so made privately or unofficially ; and that the said 2nd resolu- tion is puerile, inasmuch as, even admitting that the meeting at which it was passed, was a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge, the only masons present there- at entitled to vote being, as above stated, the Provincial Grand Master himself and the four officers legally appointed by him, and the said resolution being said to have been carried unanimously, the vote of confidence contained therein amounts, merely to an expression of the confidence which the Provincial Grand Master has Jn himself, and of the concurrence of his four adherents in that feelimg. Therefore, for these reasons, also, this lodge submits that the 2ad resolution is null and void. 13. That the 3rd resolution is clearly proved by the letter from Lodge •" St. George," dated the i6th May 1855, to contain an opinion so obviously at variance with the facts of the case, that no notice would have been taken of it did it not prove the charge which we make against the Provincial Grand Master, the Substi- tute Provincial Grand Master, the Senior Provincial Grand Warden, the Junior Provincial Grand Warden, and the Provincial Grand Secretary of, in the present instance, denying even the plainest truth to suit their own purposes. Therefore, for this reason, also, this Lodge submits that the 3rd resolution is null and void. 14. That the charge of insubordination contained im the 4th resolution is unfounded, inasmuch as the resolu- tion of this Lodge, therein referred to, was passed- because the Provincial Grand Master had, in opposition to the spirit of constitutions (cap. xiii, sec. 6); appointed 112 the principal officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge from the members of Lodge "St. George," and had himself supported with his presence and purse the English Lodge " St. George," which acts independently of your Most Worshipful Lodge ; and to prevent improper and unmasonic scenes in this lodge in conse- quence of our having placed ourselves under the protec- tion of your Most Worshipful Lodge, in order to pre- vent Lodge " St. George" from commencing to carry into effect its deep-laid scheme to undermine and subvert the jurisdiction of your Most Worshipful Lodge in this Province, by first destroying this lodge, whose fidelity to your Most Worshipful Lodge they had already proved to be incorruptible, and not for any other purpose whatever. 15. That the resolution of this Lodge, referred to in the 4th and 5th resolutions, having already been submit- ted to your Most Worshipful Lodge, any resolution thereon by the parties complained against is merely a a passing of judgment by them in their own cause, which is illegal and contrary to the spirit of the constitu- tions ; and we therefore submit that on this ground also these two resolutions are null and void. 16. That with respect to the opening of the 6th resolution wherein it is stated that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Western India took "a general review of all the proceedings which have been brought to the notice of the Provincial Grand Lodge", we are informed by the Depute Master of this Lodge that he was told by Brother A. Jordan, who was present and voted against this Lodge on the 30th June last, that, during that meet- ing a large packet from this lodge lay on the Provincial Grand Master's table unopen. This packet contained a 113 copy of our Memorial, dated the 26th June 1856, and its accompaniments. 17. That this Lodge gathers from the commence- ment of the 6th resolution that a complaint against this Lodge has been sent by some one to your Most Wor- shipful Lodge, of which this lodge has had no notice, and therefore we submit the said complaint cannot in conformity with the constitutions (chapter xv, section 2) be entertained ; and that this Lodge having preferred charges against the Provincial Grand Master and the four officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge, legally appointed by him by commission as aforesaid, the said 6th resolution is merely a decision in their own cause, in which they are not competent to sit as judges, and therefore for this reason also, the said 6th resolution is null and void. 18. That no Provincial Grand Lodge has any right to appropriate the funds of any subordinate Lodge, and that the assumption of this power by the Provincial Grand Master for Western India and the said four officers legally appointed by him, is utterly subversive of the principles of Masonry and of common honesty, and therefore we submit that for this reason also the 7th resolution is null and void. 19. That this Lodge never having denied the right of the Provincial Grand Master to inspect its records, but having merely refused to furnish him with the rough notes of the Secretary, on the grounds that they did not form a part of the records of this Lodge until duly confirmed by it, and having maintained that any application for an inspection of its records should be made to its Worshipful Master, and not to its Secretary, 15 114 and that as the Provincial Grand Master had, after the expression of the lastmentioned opinion, obtained the Minute Book of this Lodge from the Secretary, without even the knowledge, much less the concurrence, of its Worshipful Master, on an unconditional promise given by him as Provincial Grand Master to return the same at any time, if required, he was bound to fulfil his masonic promise so given ; and, therefore, for this reason, also, this Lodge submits that the 8th resolution is null and void. 20. That the minutes of the meeting of this lodge of the I2th July 1855, being silent as to the alleged affiliation of Worshipful Brother L. Aeland, and those minutes having been unanimously confirmed by the lodge at the following meeting of the 14th August 1855, at which were present most of the members of this Lodge who voted upon the 9th resolution, and the correctness of the said minutes having been again upheld by a great majority of this lodge on the 12th June 1856, in opposition to the opinion of the minority, consisting of those who voted for the said 9th resolution, the doctrine laid down in the said 9th resolution, to the effect that a lodge is bound to accept the statement of a minority of its members as a true statement of what took place in lodge nearly a year before, in preference to the contrary assertion of the majority, and in direct contradiction, too, of the statement of the said minority itself made and recorded only a month after this said occurrence is alleged to have taken place, is utterly subversive of our Ancient Landmarks, of the Constitutions, and of common sense ; for it involves the monstrous doctrine that a lodge shall be ruled by a minority, and not by a majority of its members, even in matters in which the said minority contradicts itself. "5 21. That the Provincial Grand Master and Brother D. Smith having in the said gth resolution made an assertion in direct contradiction of the assertion contain- ed in their vote confirming the minutes of the t2th July 1855, given solemnly in open lodge only a month and two days after the occurrence is alleged to have taken place, have convicted themselves of making a statement contrary to fajct, either in this lodge at the meeting held on the 14th August 1855, at which the said minutes were confirmed, or at the meeting held at the house of the Provincial Grand Master on the 30th June last. 22. Further, we beg most respectfully to submit that the doctrine laid down in the said 9th resolution, that the sending of summonses to a mason by the Secretary^ and the collection of dues from him by the Treasurer, can constitute any such mason a member of this or any lodge would, if correct, enable the Secretary a»d Trea- surer, to affiliate any one he pleased without even consulting the lodge, and would operate as an abroga- tion of one of our ancient privileges — the vote by ballot* Therefore, for these reasons also, this lodge submits that the said 9th resolution is null and void. 23. That this lodge not having been legally sus- pended for the reasons before given at length, submits that for this reason also the loth resolution is null and void. 24. That even admittiag that the meeting at which the I ith resoiutiott was passed was a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge, the only masons present thereat entitled to vote, being as above stated, the Provincial Grand Master and the four officers appointed by him by commission, and the said nth resolution being said to ii6 have been carried unanimously, it merely amounts to an expression of the good opinion which the Provincial Grand Master entertains of himself, and of the concur- rence of his four adherents therein. Therefore, for this reason, also, this lodge submits that the said nth resolu- tion is null and void. 25. That Worshipful Brothers LeGej^ and Acland, not being members of any lodge hailing from your Most Worshipful Lodge, and being therefore not within your jurisdiction, this lodge thinks it useless to make any complaint against them. 26. That this lodge submits that the present attempt to prevent it from working made by Right Worshipful Brothers H. D. Cartwright, G. R. Ballingall, and C. M. I. Pollock, Worshipful Brother L. Acland, Brothers D. Smith, G. J. Bowyer, and M. H. Scott, under colour of the authority of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Western India, especially after Right Wor- shipful Brother H. D. Cartwright had been furnished with copies of our letters and memorials down to the 26th June 1856, supplies another and most convincing proof of the truth of our previous charge against them to the effect that they, as members of the English Lodge "St. George, " are endeavouring to exterminate the only working lodge in Bombay hailing from your Most Worshipful Lodge, and to undermine and subvert the jurisdiction of your Most Worshipful Lodge in the Province ; for, if the object had not been to ruin this lodge, and thereby to aggrandize and enrich Lodge "St. George " by leaving it without a competitor for several months, the said Brethren would have left the whole matter in the hands of your Most Worshipful Lodge 117 to whom they knew it had been referred, and who, if your Most Worshipful Lodge unfortunately thought this lodge deserving of suspension, would have been able at the time of passing sentence upon it to provide against the gap which the sudden closing of this lodge would leave in Scotch Masonry in Bombay. 27. That, on account of the above demonstrated nullity of the said fiat of suspension, and in order to prevent the execution of the insidious plan, above ex- posed, to exterminate the only working lodge in Bombay hailing from your Most Worshipful Lodge, and to undermine and subvert the jurisdiction of your Most Worshipful Lodge in this Province, this lodge has determined to take upon itself the responsibility of con- tinuing to work, notwithstanding the said pretended suspension ; and if your Most Worshipful Lodge should think us wrong in so doing, we trust you will take into consideration the difficult position in which the parricidal policy of the Provincial Grand Master and his commissioned adherents have placed us, and that we have to choose between incurring the said responsibility and seeing our lodge ruined, and the jurisdiction of your Most Worshipful Lodge perilled in Bombay. 28. That not content with endeavouring to ruin this lodge by causing a resolution purporting to suspend it to be passed at a meeting of masons which, to mislead the members of the craft in this Province, he styled and continues to style the " Provincial Grand Lodge of Western India, " though he must know that the masons assembled on the said occasion did not constitute the said Provincial Grand Lodge, the Provincial Grand Master has, through the Provincial Grand Secretary, ii8 issued to every individual member of this lodge, Cir- culars and Masonic Notices, a complete set of which is herewith submitted (Appendix E), by which means several Brethren have been deceived, and deterred from paying their monthly subscriptions to this lodge. 29. That, so far from having the real welfare of masonry at heart in acting as he has done, the Provincial Grand Master has clearly shown that his object has been to benefit the English Lodge "St. George," and to revenge himself on Lodge ' ' Perseverance" for complain- ing against him to your Most Worshipful Lodge ; for, as the dispute was between him and us, and as he was well aware that everything complained of in the said eleven resolutions had been submitted by us to your Most Worshipful Lodge, who would doubtless punish us if we were wrong, the suspension of this lodge by him, supposing such suspension to be legal, could answer no good end, and whilst it would do incalculable injury to Scotch Masonry in Bombay, would benefit only the English Lodge "St. Greorge," for, if unfortu- nately your Most Worshipful Lodge should come to the conclusion that this lodge had merited suspension, the anticipation of your decision by a few months would stop the work of a lodge which, in sending home to your Most Worshipful Lodge upwards of ;^ 12 as fees, &c., with its last Return for the half-year of the current year, proved itself to be more prosperous at present than it has been for many years past, and it would benefit Lodge " St. George " by suddenly leaving that lodge without a rival in Bombay ; whilst, if on the other hand, your Most Worshipful Lodge should be of opinion that this lodge is not deserving of suspension, the precipitate suspension of it by the Provincial Grand 119 Master, though eventually rescinded, would ruin this most prosperous lodge and still benefit only Lodge "St. George." 30. Having thus laid before your Most Worship- ful Lodge a full and faithful statement of our griev- ances and perils, we confidently await the decision of your Most Worshipful Lodge, firmly believing that that decision will be a righteous one. And your Petitioners will ever pray, &c. G. S. Judge, R.W.M.] W. O'Mealy, W.Dep.M.L ^ . ,, „ x^ T^ •, TTT r^ r ,T for Lodge " Perse- E. Keily, W.Sub.M. [ ^„ ^, T i\/r 1-1 -tir c 117- verance," No. 351. J. Mackmlay, W.S.W. G. Craig, Bombay, 2%thjune 1856. W.J.W.; J. G. LAWRENCE, Secretary. APPENDIX A. Resolutions submitted to a meeting of the Provin- cial Grand Lodge of Western India, held on 30th June 1856, duly proposed and seconded, and all unanimously agreed to. I. Proposed by the R. W. P. G. Master Cartwright, seconded by Worshipful Brother Manockjee Cursetjee — "That the resolution carried in lodge "Persever- ance," 351, and embodied in the letter from the W. Master to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of I20 Scotland, dated the 12th May 1856, stating that 'the present system of selecting and appointing a P. G. Master for Western India is not considered so well calculated to advance the interests of the craft as a triennial election by the representatives of the lodges of Western India would be,' is in the opinion of the P. G. Lodge one which no individual lodge has any right to put forward, it being subversive of the con- stitutions, and of the power of the Grand Lodge of Scotland." II. Proposed by V. W. Br. Taylor, P. G. Secre- tary, seconded by W. Br. Michael Hugh Scott — "That with reference to the letter of the W. M. of Lodge " Perseverance " to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, dated the 27th May 1856, lodging an appeal against what is termed the ' ' threat- ened injustice of the P. G. M. in intending to close lodge " Perseverance," the P. G. Lodge have perfect confidence in the P. G. Master, and having maturely considered the circumstance to which that letter mainly refers, are of opinion that the R. W. the P. G. Master would have been fully justified in making the remark imputed to him, either ofiicially or otherwise ; and further, that the conduct of the W. Master of Lodge " Perseverance," in opening the proceedings of that lodge at the meeting held on the 21st May, when he took advantage of some expressions said to have been used in private and unofficial conversation, was un- masonic in itself, grossly disrespectful to the P. G. Master, derogatory to the dignity of the office he holds, and that it calls for severe reprobation on the part of the members of the P. G. Lodge." 121 III. Proposed by R. W. Sub P. G. M. Ballingall, seconded by W. Br. Campbell — *' That this P. G. Lodge declares the representations lof the W. Master of Lodge " Perseverarrce" in various letters to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, as to the endeavours of those Brethren who have long been members of Lodge " Perseverance," and &Te also members of Lodge " St. George," and Officers of the P. G. Lodge, to undermine Scottish Masonry, are unfounded and untenable." IV. Proposed by V. W. Br. Pollock, P. S. G. Warden, seconded by W. Br. W. H. S. Crawford — " That the refusal of Lodge " Perseverance" to attend the P. G. Lodge by their representatives, and to admit the P. G. Master, the D. P. G. Master, the P. G. Subs- Master, the P. G. Senior Warden, and other officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge within the portals of Lodge " Perseverance " is considered by the P. G. Lodge as the most flagrant act of insubordination that could be com- mitted in masonry — .one which is tantamount to a direct disavowal of superior authority, and an assumption of a power belonging only to the Grand Lodge of Scotland itself — that of suspending the P- G. Master from his prerogatives ; and that the substance of this resolution as to the proceedings referred to applies equally to the -officers included in the communication of the W. Master oof Lodge "Perseverance." V. Proposed by R. W. Subs.-P. G. M. Ballingall, :seconded by Wor. Brother A. Jordan — " That the P. G. Lodge therefore declare the reso- lution of Lodge " Perseverance ", referred to in the fore- j6 122 going, and passed at their Special Meeting on 21st June, to be contrary to the constitutions, and therefore null and void." VI. Proposed by the R. W. P. G. Master, second- ed by V. W. Br. Duncan Smith, and supported by W. Br. LeGeyt, Past P. G. Master — " That, on a general review of all the proceedings which have been brought to the notice of the P. G. Lodge, and which have been in part, and will further be brought under the notice and consideration of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, the P. G. Lodge is of opinion that the acts of Lodge *' Perseverance," and of its Wor. Master and Officers as a body, warrant the decided interference of the P- G. Lodge, and that the P. G. Lodge does therefore hereby suspend Lodge " Persever- ance "' from working, and its Wor. Master and officers from office, until the pleasure of the Grand Lodge of Scotland be known." VIL Proposed by V. W. Br. Duncan Smith, se- conded by W. Br. John Evans — ' ' That the P- G. Lodge having duly considered the question as to the propriety of the resignation of its officers as members of Lodge " Perseverance," prior to the suspension of the lodge, has resolved that under the peculiar circumstances of the locality, it is better to defer any decision on this point until the pleasure of the Grand Lodge of Scotland be known, meanwhile paying their customary subscriptions to the P. G. Treasurer, and the members of the P. G. Lodge, composed of members of Lodges " Perseverance " and " Rising Star", do hereby pledge themselves to maintain the Masonic 123 Charity, at present known by the name of " The Charitable Fund of Lodge Perseverance," during the suspension of the Lodge, so that the poor who have hitherto obtained relief from its funds may not suffer." Vin. Proposed by V. W. Br. H. Forman, P. G. Junior Warden, seconded by W. Br. Mirza Ally Maho- med Khan — " That, with reference to the correspondence of the 15th June, between the P. G. Master and the W. Master of Lodge "Perseverance," (of the W. Master's share of which the P. G. Lodge can speak only in terms of strong reprehension) the P. G. Lodge consider that the P. G. Master has an undoubted priority of right to the inspection of the records or papers, whether confirmed or not, of any lodge within his jurisdiction." IX. Proposed by the R. W. the P. G. Master, seconded by W. Br. Bowyer — " That in reference to the case of the R. W. Br. Acland, D. P. G. Master, which had been brought be- fore this meeting — from the P- G. Master's own con- victions on the subject, from having named the seconder of his proposition on the 12th July 1855, and the seconder (W. Br. D. Smith, then Senior Warden, Lodge "Perseverance"), having stated that he did so, from the confirmation of several Brethren now present, who were also present at the meeting of Lodge "Perseverance" in question, and from the circumstances of the Secretary to Lodge " Perseverance " having sent the regular summonses to the meetings, and the Treasurer having regularly collected from R. W. Br. Acland the Lodge fees ever since, this P. G. Lodge declares the election of 124 the R. W. Br. Acland as a joining member of Lodge "Perseverance" to be valid, and that the contrary resolution on this head, passed at a meeting of Lodge " Perseverance", held on 12th May 1856, be null and void." X. Proposed by the R. W. the P. G. Master Cartwright, seconded by the R. W. Subs.-P. G. Master Ballingall — " That the P. G. Secretary be instructed to write to- Br. G. S. Judge, handing a copy of these resolutions, and to require him to deliver to the P. G. Secretary the Charter of Lodge "Perseverance," together with the lodge books and accounts, made up and sealed, to be placed in the custody of the P. G. Lodge till the decision of the Grand Lodgfe of Scotland be made known." ■'&^ XI. Proposed by the R. W. Br. Acland, seconded by the R. W. Br. Ballingall— " That with reference to the matters referred to in' the preceding resolutions, this Provincial Grand Lodge is of opinion that the conduct of the R. W. P- Grand Iklaster Cartwright, throughout the whole proceedings, and under the trying circumstances in which he had been placed, has been characterised by good temper, gentlemanly conduct, and great forbearance, and with a sincere desire to promote the best interests of masonry." I hereby certify the foregoing resolutions to be a. true copy of those passed at said meeting. JAMES TAYLOR, July 2nd, 1856. Provindal Grand Secretary. 125 APPENDIX B. Copy of letter, dated i6th May 1855, from the- Secretary, Lodge "St. George," to the Wor. Master of Lodge " Perseverance. " (See page 17.) APPENDIX C Extract from proceedings of an emergent meeting cf Lodge " Perseverance," held at Bombay, on Wednes- day, the 2 1st May 1856. The Wor. Master here put the following question to R. W. Br. Cartwright : — " Right Worshipful Sir, — Will you be good enough to tell the Lodge who are its accusers, and what the offence is of which it is. accused, that caused you to threaten me a few days ago, that you would suspend the lodge unless certain resolutions were rescinded ?" " Provincial Grand Master : — Worshipful Sir, — I did not say 1 would suspend the Lodge unless certain resolutions were rescinded. I said (in a jocular manner) that if the lodge went on that way I should be obliged to close it or shut it up." The Worshipful Master replied: — "That may be Right Worshipful Bro. Cartwright's recollection of the exact words he had said, but mine is as I at first stated. Further ' shutting up ^ a lodge and ' suspending ' 126 it appears to me to be synonymous terms. The words, moreover, were certainly uttered in a serious tone and manner, however jocular the Provincial Grand Master might have meant them to be, but even supposing the Provincial Grand Master was correct in his version, still the lodge was entitled to know the name of its accuser, and of what it was accused ; for surely the Provincial Grand Master would not have uttered such a threat as he admits, even in a joke, without having had some grounds for doing so. I therefore again, Right Worshipful Sir, respectfully request you to inform the lodge who is its accuser and of what it is accused ?" Right Worshipful Brother Cartwright replied as follows : — " I do not consider myself, standing here as I do in my capacit}' of Provincial Grand Master, bound to anticipate my intentions before this lodge ; in due time they will be- communicated officially; but I am waiting for copies of certain documents for which I have applied more than once to the Secretary of this lodge, but which have not yet been furnished to me." The Worshipful Master then pointed out to Right Worshipful Brother Cartwright that he had not asked him (Brother Cartwright) to anticipate his intentions, but simply to tell the lodge who was their accuser and of what they were accused. To this Right Worshipful Brother Cartwright replied : — "The answer I have given is the only answer I can give." 127 ' APPENDIX D. Bombay, istli May 18^6. To Right Worshipful Brother W. A. Laurie, EDINBURGH. Right Worshipful Sir and Brother : — By the last mail I had the pleasure of requesting your acceptance of the office of Proxy Master of this lodge, and I now beg to trouble you with an instalment of your duties as such. 2. At the meeting of the Lodge, held on 29th March last, it was unanimously resolved that the Grand Lodge should be addressed on the subject of "the present system of selecting and appointing a Provincial Grand Master for Western India " as the members of the Lodge did not consider it "so well calculated to advance the interests of the Craft as a triennial election by the representatives of the lodges in Western India would be." 3. In giving expression to this opinion it was added that ' ' the election now suggested, though not provided for in the constitutions of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, would only be consonant with the laws by which even the Grand Master is annually elected, and with the innate spirit of masonry, which has ever left the choice of their rulers with the Brethren." 4. In requesting you, as the representative of the lodge, to bring this opinion under the consideration of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, I think I may safely leave it to speak for itself; it was passed unanimously in this lodge without the least approach to discussion, so self evident was the necessity for the adoption of such a measure. 128 5- Doubtless, your experience, and the experience o! every one of the members of the Grand Lodge, will produce the conviction that cases have arisen, and will ahvays arise, where masonry suffers by the election of a brother to supreme command at the mere recommenda- tion of the Officer who is about to retire, and that a tenure of office, unlimited in duration, is destructive of that energy and urbanity so beneficial to the Craft, which is to be found in a brother whose continuance in office beyond a limited period depends upon the opinion the Brethren entertain of his zeal, ability, and desire to please, without neglecting his duty. 6. I have no authority from the lodge, much less -any wish, in submitting this its opinion to lead you for a moment to doubt the propriety of the election of our present Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Bro. H. D. Cartwright, for whom I entertain great respect : this point has never been raised at any meet- ing of the lodge, and I trust that the grand question will always be capable of a satisfactory solution without resort to personal considerations of any kind. 7. A copy of this letter will be sent to the Provin- cial Grand Lodge. I am, &c., &c., G. S. JUDGE, IV. JM. Lodge "Perseverance." APPENDIX E. Consisted of the first portion of Appendix C I2g APPENDIX F. Bombay, Wi July 1856. Sir and Brother : — I am directed to acquaint you that for the present the Provincial Grand Lodge have made arrangements for relieving the Pensioners on the Charitable Fund of Lodge " Perseverance," and to request that that you will have the goodness to follow the example of the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge, by paying your customary monthly subscription to Lodge " Perseverance " to Bro. Duncan Smith, the Provincial Grand Treasurer. I am. Sir and Brother, Yours faithfully, JAMES TAYLOR, Provincial Grand Secretary. Masonic Notice. The Provincial Grand Master of Western India hereby notifies that Lodge " Perseverance " was placed in suspension by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Western India on the 30th ultimo, and it is hereby ordered that no mason affiliated in any lodge, working under the Provincial Grand Lodge of Western India, shall on any pretence whatever attend any meeting of the said lodge during such suspension, under pain of individual suspension from all masonic privileges. By order, JAMES TAYLOR, P. G. Secretary. Bombay, 8th July 1856. 17 I30 Bombay, Bth July 1856. To J. G. Lawrence, Esq., Commissary of Ordnance, Bombay. Sir and Brother : — ^With reference to the foregoing- notice and to the summonses for a meeting on the 12th instant since issued, and to all future summonses from Lodge " Perseverance, " issued during its suspension, I am requested by the R. W. the Provincial Grand Lodge of Western India, to direct your attention to the fact that such meeting will be illegal, and to warn you accord- ingly from the consequence of attendance. I am. Sir and Brother, Yours fraternally, JAMES TAYLOR, P. G. Secretary. I