[From The Second Lodge of Bengal in the Olden Times by W. K. Firminger and Guy D. Robinson, pp. 228-30]

THE MUTINY YEAR

1857

Although the Mutiny actually started at Barrack. pore, Calcutta was spared the horrors of the fighting. To say that it did not affect 'Industry' in any way would not be correct, as in July they gave up holding official suppers and later, owing to the Provincial Grand Lodge feeling the strain financially, through calls on the Funds and loss of income, the capitation of Re 1 per head to the Fund of Benevolence was voluntarily increased to Rs 2.

An Extraordinary Proposal

On the 19th June, a proposal was put forward in 'Industry' which on the face of it, appears shocking. Fortunately the War. Master though obviously shaken, declined to allow the motion to be voted upon and at the next Meeting, it was very properly ruled out of order.

Bro. Wm. White, a very young mason (he was initiated on 5th January 1856), proposed that an enquiry should be made into the conduct of the Lord Patron of Freemasons (presumably the Marquess of Dalhousie) owing to the awful crisis in which this country is now placed through the measures of his Government.

The Worshipful Master commented on what had fallen from Bro. White, and suggested that the motion had better stand over until the next Regular Meeting of the Lodge, by which time he would be in a position to inform the Brethren whether such an enquiry into the political rather than the private life and acts of a Brother was subject which could be discussed in any Lodge. Bro. White again addressed the Lodge at great length to the purport that with deference to the opinion of the Worshipful Master, he did not see the necessity of the motion being adjourned.

Bro. Lingham made some observations on the subject under consideration when the Wor. Master adverting to the momentous nature of question. to wit, the explusion of the Lord Patron, deemed it advisable to postpone the proposition until the next Regular Meeting of the Lodge. He was but a young Mason and could not take upon himself without further and serious consideration to sanction the discussion of a question of so grave a nature. Whereupon Bro. White remarked that any Brother among us guilty of a breach of the law was liable to expulsion, but the War. Master reminded him that of what crime soever a Brother may have been guilty, he could not be expelled from the Craft all at once. Such a step must be seriously and solemnly considered before being carried into effect.

The motion of Bro. White accordingly stands adjourned until the next Regular Meeting of the Lodge.

At the Meeting on 3rd July, after the confirmation of the minutes the War. Master addressed the Brethren of the Lodge and Bro. White in particular and said the Lodge cannot entertain for a moment, much less discuss the proposition of Bro. White made at the last Regular Meeting. He, the
W.M. had consulted the highest authorities on the point and their decision is final. The W. M. read a portion from the Ancient Charges of the Order bearing on the subject.

Results of the Mutiny

The Wor. Master proposed to aid distressed persons from Upper India with a present donation of Rs 200 and a further call if necessary.

The Wor. Master told the Brethren of the preparations that had been made under the directions of the Deputy provincial Grand Master at Freemasons' Hall for those whose claims were to be first entertained by the Craftsmen, women and little children escaped from Cawnpore, Allahabad and other parts of the country made desolate by the rioters, would be housed and taken care of. W. Bro. Ledlie seconded the proposition which was carried without dissent.

At the Meeting on 17th July, the Wor. Master proposed that quietness be observed at Banquet tonight and to give up formal suppers until quieter times, that the hour of Meeting be a little later and break up at 10 P.M. Bro. E. J. Lindsay seconded the proposition. W. Bro. A. H. Ledlie made some observations against the proposal, but it was carried.

In October the Wor. Master referred to his circular of 5th October 1857 to the members of the Lodge, which is as follows:

Dear Brother,

With reference to the subject on which I addressed you on Friday last, I now beg you will record your opinions as to the support which we ought to afford the Fund of Benevolence in this, its hour of
trial, when indeed without the united aid of the whole Craft, this most useful Charity must come to untimely end.

I record my opinion first

'We should give Co's Rs 200 without delay, and increase our subscription to two rupees a quarter for each subscribing member for the next two quarters the Lodge funds under their late able management can well afford this'.

I remain,
Yours fraternally,
(Signed) J. H. DE SALIS, W.M. No. 126.
'I concur with the above'
here follow the signatures of 29 members.

* * * *

On this, W. Bro. Ledlie proposes that the proposition embodied in the Circular above be carried; seconded by Bro. Amory, was carried unanimously.

Back to The Sons of Mystery [ Next ] [ Previous ]