[From Selections from Calcutta Gazettes, Vol. V]

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 1823

ST. JOHN'S DAY

The Free Masons of Calcutta went in Procession on Friday last to the Cathedral, where the Revd. Brother TAYLER preached an appropriate Sermon, and the subjoined Masonic Anthem was sung on the occasion.

RECITATIVE

Let there be light-th' Almighty spoke,
Refulgent streams from chaos broke,
To illume the rising earth;
Well pleas'd the great Jehovah stood,
The power supreme pronounc'd it good,
and gave the planets birth.

SOLO

Parent of light, accept our praise,
Who shedd'st on us thy bringhtest rays,
The light that fills the mind;
By choice selected, 10 we stand,
By friendship joined a social band,
That love - that aid mankind.

CHORUS

In choral numbers masons join,
To bless and praise thy name divine.

VERSE

The widow's tear-the orphan's cry,
All wants-our ready hands supply,
As far as power is giv'n ;
The naked clothe-the prisoners free,
These are thy works, sweet charity;
Revealed to us from Heaven.

CHORUS

In choral numbers masons join,
To bless and praise thy name divine.

The Marquess and Marchioness of HASTINGS attended Divine Service, and the Cathedral was crowded in every part. The following particulars are from the India Gazette: -

The Procession returned to the Town Hall in regular Masonic order, preceded by the Band of Music playing the Entered Apprentice's tune. Crowds of Natives and Europeans hung upon both flanks of the, procession, anxious to get a passing sight of the sons of mystery. After arriving in the Hall, the Brethren drew up in hollow square, when the Provincial Deputy Grand Master, Brother Larkins, in a short and neat address, thanked them for their attendance and congratulated them upon the propriety with which they had conducted their proceedings. He concluded by inviting them all to a grand Masonic Banquet to be held in the evening under the same roof. Upon this the Brethren disrobed and departed everyone to his home, but re-assembled at six 0' clock in the evening exactly, to the number of about two hundred and forty. The dinner was laid out upon a double file of tables in the upper hall. Behind the Deputy Master was a large transparency, emblematical of Faith, Hope, and Charity, represented by three female figures, classically designed and spiritedly executed, nearly as large as life. Faith holding the Cross, looked up to the Heavens, Hope leaned upon her anchor, and Charity, had an infant in her arm. A flying Cherub held a scroll above the large figures, having at one curved end the name of the illustrious Most Noble Grand Master, HASTINGS and at the other the melancholy word FAREWELL. Between these two and on the body proper of the scroll, were inscribed in larger character these words" NON NOBIS SOLUM SED TOTO MUNDO NATI". On the plinth of an illuminated pillar, the parting injunction of the Grand Master was inscribed, FEAR GOD, HONOR. THE KING, KEEP PURE THE CRAFT.

Grace having been said by a Reverend Brother, the members of the fraternal community sat down. The dinner was excellent, as were the wines. The spectacle, all in all, was grand and imposing. It must have been in the eyes of the uninitiated a wonderful sight, to see so many men, of such different rank and station in life, sitting down under the influence of something or other to them impossible to comprehend, which rendered them all equal for the time. It must have been still more surprising for them to observe the perfect propriety of this equality - the kind conciliatory affability of men of the higher rank on the one hand, and the modest, quiet unassuming demeanor of men in the inferior grades of society, on the other. All was harmony, order, cheerful enjoyment, without excess of any kind, warm, good will and peace. After the removal of the cloth, the uninitiated, consisting of the servants, were ordered to withdraw. The "Brethren of the mystic tie" then proceeded more particularly to business; and no doubt many on the other side of the hall concluded that his Satanic Majesty was raised and produced for the entertainment of the Company in the usual terrific style a la Tam o' Shanter. About half past 11 P.M. the Brethren returned home. Thus ended the festiva1 of St. John; and where, we would ask, could there be a finer illustration of the effects of Masonry upon the mind? Two hundred and forty human beings of various pursuits, callings, views, and tempers, meet to feast. It is in the power of each individual to exceed, but the strictest moderation or decorum is not for a moment forgotten, and all after some hours of high and rational enjoyment, rise and depart quietly, soberly, and peaceably to their respective homes.

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