[From Selections from Calcutta Gazettes, Vol. IV]

Thursday, December 16, 1813.

[From the India Gazette, December 13, 1813 ]

ADDRESS FROM THE FREE MASONS

On Saturday last, at half past 8 P.M. agreeably to a notification given to the Masters of Lodges, Star in the East, Industry and Perseverance, and the Moira Lodge Freedom and Fidelity, that the Most Worshipfu1 and Right Honorable the Earl of Moira, Past Acting Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England, would receive a congratulatory address on His Lordship's arrival in India, the Officers and Brethren of those Lodges, amounting to about 120, assembled at the Government House, where they decorated and marshaled themselves for their introduction to His Lordship. At 9 o'clock, the Most Worshipful Past Acting Grand Master having signified his readiness to receive the address, the Right Worshipful Masters of the three Lodges, William Coates Blaquiere, Esq., William Dring, Esq., and Sir William Grand Keir, preceded by the Lodges, supported on crimson velvet cushions, and followed by their respective Past Masters, Officers and Brethren of the Lodges, entered the room appropriated for the occasion, filing in a semicircle in front of His Lordship, who, decorated with the superb Masonic Lodge in England and various other jewels of the higher orders of Masonry, stood with his personal Staff, at the upper part of the Saloon. The Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Star in the East, first Lodge of Bengal, then read the following address: -

"To the Most Worshipful and Right Honorable the Earl of Moira, &c, &c, &c, Past Acting
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England.

"MOST WORSHIPFUL SIR AND NOBLE BROTHER

"We the Masters, Wardens, and Members of Lodge
Star in the East, Lodge Industry and Perseverance, and the Moira Lodge Freedom and Fidelity, working under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of England, actuated by a sincere respect for your Lordship's distinguished and exalted character as a Mason, approach you with united hearts, to express the lively gratification we feel, at your Lordship's safe arrival at the metropolis of India.

"As British Masons glorying in the mild and beneficent principles of our ancient and honorable institution, we feel ourselves doubly impelled to welcome your Lordship to this Country, and congratulate the Craft in India, on an event which not only opens to their view the brightest prospects of encouragement and protection, but enables, them personally to witness the benign operation of those great Masonic virtues which: they have so long contemplated and revered at a distance.

"During the period that your Lordship, as the immediate representative of our Royal Patron, held the responsible office of Acting Grand Master of England, we observed with admiration and gratitude, your persevering exertions in supporting the high character of our Institution, in successfully diffusing its sublime tenets, and endeavoring, by a mild and dignified course of measures, to unite the Brotherhood in the closet ties of amity, illustrating by the bright example of your own life, the pure precepts of the Institution over which you so long and ably presided.

"In this sincere demonstration of respect, we only perform all imperious duty to your Lordship as our illustrious superior, the Past Acting Grand Master of England; but when to that pleasing duty, is added the unanimous and voluntary acknowledgment of our personal affection for your Lordship's private virtues, sensations arise in our hearts which, words are inadequate to express.

"That the Father of all Light, the Almighty Architect, whose power and wisdom sustain the foundations of the universe, may continue to illuminate your mind; that under your auspices the fabric of Free Masonry may be more closely cemented, strengthened, and extended; and that your Lordship may long continue the pride and ornament of our order, is the fervent prayer of,

MOST Worshipful Sir and Most Noble Brother,

Your faithful Servants and most Affectionate Brother,

W. C. Blaquiere" Master, Lodge Star in the East. * *

To which His Lordship returned this eloquent and gratifying Answer.

"BRETHREN,

"The sentiments which attend the interchange of kindness among Masons, are more easily conceived than expressed. I imagine how I ought to meet the compliment you have paid me and give me credit for due feeling, and you will do more justice to my sensations than could be rendered to them by any words in my power to employ.

"From what you say of me, I perceive all the advantages of being seen at a distance; but I am happy to have sacrificed that security, since it has given me the opportunity of this cordial reception from you, I accept your favorable professions most gladly, because from what I have seen and heard, I have reason to be satisfied that Masonic principle, with all the necessary regularity, is strictly observed in your several Lodges. A rigid attention to the established forms is no light consideration; it is a binding duty upon us, because it is the only pledge we can hold forth to the Community, as a security against the possible perversions of secret meetings. The uniformity of observances in Masonic Lodge satisfies all Governments that they are safe, under the facility of recurring to those who superintend the Craft; because the uniformity is a proof that those individuals possess efficient control over the proceedings of the Fraternity, and are thence themselves responsible. A clear perception of this alone has induced Government to exempt Masonry from that interdict which they have felt themselves under the obligation of establishing against other undefined associations. But Brethren, you will never mistake the mysterious forms, the observance of which is so carefully upheld in our meetings, and which are indeed so essential to the structure of the Craft, for the real foundation of our union. The diffusion of a spirit of Benevolence and Charity is the true object of our labors; and in the pursuit of that object, we do that, which we humbly trust, may be approved by the All-Beneficent Creator.

[Note: Other signatures of Masters and other office-bearers and members of the Lodges are omitted. They describe themselves in the Address as 'British masons.']

"The distinction which I have drawn between our forms and our essential purpose is illustrated by a circumstance referring to this country. Here, where, above all other parts of the world, attachment to ceremonies appear the most rooted, I meet the very inculcation which I have been pressing upon you. Stumbling upon a translation of some axioms from the Braminical College of Madura, to my great surprise I found this passage. 'He who practices Virtue and Benevolence, knows the essence of all religion; arbitrary ceremonies form no part of it.' The sentence is not incomplete, though it may, at first sight, appear so. He who recorded it was well aware, that it could not be reflected upon without presenting all its inferences. The suppression of those selfish passions, which constitutes Virtue, and that postponement of our own advantages, to the enjoyments of others, which is termed Benevolence, can spring in man but from one source. The sacrifice of one's own gratification would be absurdity, did not one feel that, in the unalterable relations towards each other which the Almighty has established amongst His creatures, the furtherance of the happiness of others, is so consonant to the goodness of His works, is (however humbly,) so much an imitation of His divine bounty, that we may confidently pronounce it the most acceptable worship we can offer to His Throne.

"The principle of Masonry then is religion; yes! Your hearts acknowledge that it is truly so. You ask for my support and countenance, can you want them? The structure of Masonry rests upon too firm a basis to need the being upheld by extraneous assistance. Its own quality, and the eternal recognition of it, which will exist in the breasts of men, must preserve it against all contingencies. Yet I earnestly thank you, for your belief, partial as it is, that I can render you service. If to cheer and to encourage you, be to render you service, I shall do so. I will urge you forward with an irresistible spur; I will tell you, the true work of Masons is the adoration of the Most High! All your energies are well employed in an occupation of such a ten our Cultivate it! Propagate it! You will bestow blessings on those around you, but you will bestow ten times more on yourselves for you will walk in the continual persuasion of endeavoring to do that, which is most likely to find grace in the sight of the great Architect of the Universe."

His Lordship then, after saluting the Brethren in a most gracious manner, retired, followed by his Staff.

At a quarter before 10, the Right Honorable the Countess of Loudoun and Moira, having intimated to the Brethren of the Lodges Star in the East, Industry and Perseverance, and the Moira Lodge, that Her Ladyship was prepared to receive their address, the Lodges proceeded to move in procession through the Southern verandah of the Government House, to Her Ladyship's Drawing-room, in the South-west wing. The Countess, supported on the right hand by Lady Keir, Mrs. Ricketts, Mrs. Davidson and the Misses Rose, and on the left by the Earl of Moira, and His Lord ship's staff, signified her readiness to hear the Address, when the Right Worshipful Master of Star in the East, advancing a few paces, read the Address as follows: -

"To The Right Honorable the Countess of Loudoun and Moira.

"Madam;

"We the Masters, Wardens, and Brethren, of Lodges Star in the East, Industry and Perseverance, and the Moira Lodge Freedom and Fidelity, having discharged our grateful duty to our illustrious Brother the Earl of Moira, by the unanimous offer of our cordial congratulations, on his safe arrival in Bengal, cannot remain uninfluenced by a secret hope that our sentiments of respect and affection, may be allowed to extend to one so justly dear to His Lordship's heart, as the Countess of Loudoun and Moira and so forcibly associated with Masonical virtue. Can we; as Masons, proudly acknowledging the genuine and unsullied principles of our ancient and respectable Order, contemplate your Ladyship's descent from a Nobleman so elevated and distinguished in the annals of Masonry, as the Earl of Loudoun, who filled the chair of the Grand Lodge of England, without experiencing the most lively impulse of grateful enthusiasm, or reflect that in your happy union with the Earl of Moira, the finest springs of our sublime institution have joined together in an ample current, to spread more widely, the luxuriant tide of benevolence, generosity, charity and social affection ;-can we behold this auspicious union of Masonic interest, and deny ourselves the gratification of blending with our congratulations to Lord Moira, the same cordial welcome to your Ladyship, and claiming your hereditary influence over our fraternity with sentiments of equal veneration?

"The mild virtues, and amiable condescension, which have distinguished your Ladyship's character through life, inspire us with a flattering hope, that you will accept the offer now made to you by a respectable body of Free Masons, of their sincere congratulations on the arrival of yourself and family in India; their cordial wishes, that your Ladyship may long enjoy in these dimes the blessing of health and happiness, and that in your rising offspring you may joyfully behold the opening blossoms of innocence expand into ripened perfection.

"Clothed in this ancient and honorable garb of Freemasonry, the emblems of innocence and purity, we confidently venture to approach your Ladyship with an anxious solicitation, that you will allow us to consider you the Patroness of an Order pure as your own breast, and the first principles and tenets of which arc strictly congenial with the softest springs of your heart. Could a doubt be entertained of the purity of our institution, the exemplary life, the justly acknowledged benevolence, and active virtues of your Noble Consort, would instantly repel it, and stamp on our Order the intrinsic value it possesses. May that proud distinction which His Lordship's life has given to Masonry, be increased by the benign influence of your Ladyship's patronage, and may we, in the possession of your Ladyship's favorable opinion, be animated by a spark of that bright and encouraging spirit, which so happily presided and watched over the interests of the Masonic community.

"We have the honor to subscribe ourselves,

"MADAM,

"Your most (Signed by the faithful and obedient servants. Masters, Wardens, and Members of the three Lodges).

The Countess of Loudoun and Moira was pleased to return her thanks to the Lodges, in these few but expressive words: -

"Sir; - 1 must entreat you to accept yourself, and express to these Gentlemen, my grateful acknowledgments for this distinguished and undeserved compliment. I feel I should be wanting towards you, and indeed I may add, unjust towards myself, were I not to say (however inadequately I do so,) how very highly I value this flattering mark of your good will."

The Lodges then respectfully took leave of Her Ladyship, and retired with sentiments of the most cordial gratification at the gracious reception they had experienced from their illustrious Grand Countess, the Patroness of Master, and his amiable the Craft in India.

At ten, o'clock on Saturday, after receiving the address of the Lodges the Earl Moira held a Public Levee at the Government House, which was numerously attended.

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