The Sun.
London, England, 1825-03-17 00:00:00

occasion :

PRAYER OF, THE PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPLAIN,
BROTHER REV. DR. BRYCE.
" Almighty and ever blessed (ion ! Parent of the Universe,
Creator and Protector of all things ! Thou alone art the true
and the living God ; and besides thee, there is none else. Thy
throne is established in heaven—and the earth is thy footstool ;
thou ridest on the whirlwind, and directest the storm. Thou
measurest the waters of the ocean in the hollow of thy hand;
thou weighest the hills as in a balance, and takest up the isles
as a very little thing. Great art thou, and gruttly to be adored
and had in reverence by us, the children of men.
" Fountain of all wisdom and knowledge; in whose hands
alone are the destinies of men and the issues of all things ! It
pleased' thee to permit the clouds of ignorance to gather around
the heads of thy rational offspring, and darkness and night
visit the intellectual habitations of the children of men; it
pleaseth thee to call forth the Sun of Truth and Knowledge,
and Light re-illumines the mental regions of the universe.
" We would this day bless and adore thy name, that thou
hast put it into the hearts of the rulers of this land, to diffuse
the blessings of Education. over the realms in which they hear
sway. We would this day thank thee that thou hast inspired
the benevolent of all creeds and confessions to unite in the la-
bour of diffusing the happiness that flows from knowledge over
the face of this populous country—Vouchsafe to visit with thy
blessing the Institution on which we now humbly implore thee to
look upon with favour and protection. May Masters and Scholars
be taught of thee—May the Structure, whose foundation we
are this day to lay, be rendered eminently instrumental in pro-
rnoting useful Learning and Science among those to whose ser-
vice it is devoted ; and may it long remain a monument of the
protecting care, with which the Government of this country
watches over its best interests. We would implore a blessing
on the head of our most gracious Lord the King—Give him
long to live in health and wealth, and graciously bless the
Members of his Family. 'We offer unto thee our Prayers for
the Representative of our Sovereign in this land ; and for those
who sit in Council with him—May they enjoy the reward of
their public measures in beholding the daily increasing know-
ledge and happiness of their subjects. Bless the Magistrates of
the land, and may they prove a terror to evildoers, and a praise
to them that do well. Go forth, we entreat thee, with our
fleets and armies, in the day of battle. Cover the heads of our'
sailors and soldiers with thy protecting shield, and restore again
to us the blessings of an honourable and lasting peace.
" 'We implore thy blessing on all that are now before thee—
at.... pew...v.lMo eia.n.tOrtl.:,r WiliCh_
lence of its acts, and under his rule who is placed by thy pro.
vicience at its head in this corner of the heathen world, may
we prove ourselves in time coming, as in time past, eager and
ready to work for the diffusion of whatever is good and praise-
worthy among men—that thy glory may be advanced, anti the
good of mankind more and more promoted.
" Hear us in Heaven—thy dwelling-place.—Amen."
INSCRIPTION ON THE SILVER PLATE.
By the Blessing of ALMIGHTY Gon,
In the Reign of
His Most Gracious Majesty George the Fourth,
under the Auspices of the Right Honourable
WILLIAM PITT A striEnsT,
Governor-General
of the
British Possessions
In India,
JOHN PASCAL LARKINS, Esquire,
Provincial Grand Master of the Fraternity
of Free Masons in
Bengal,
Laid
The Foundation Stone of this Edifice,
the Mahomedan College of
Calcutta,
Amidst the Acclamations of a vast
Concourse of the Native Population
of this City,
In the presence
of a Numerous Assembly of the Fraternity,
and
of the President and Members of the
Committee of General Instruction,
On the 15th day of July, in the year
of our Lord 1824, and of the wra of
Masonry 5824.
Planned and Constructed
by
William Burn, James Mackintosh,
and William Kemp.

SPEECH OF TIIE PROvINCIAL GRAND MASTER, BROTHER
J. P. LARKINS. ,
" Gentlemen of Calcutta, and of the Native
Community,
" During the period I have had the honour of presiding over
the Masonic Institutions on this side of India, I have fre-
quently been called upon to officiate on such occasions as the
present, and I have on each occasion had good reason to con-
gratulate not only myself, but those who have been associated
with me, in these most interesting undertakings, and I shall,
I assure you, consider the part I have had to perform in these
ceremonies, as amongst some of the most pleasing recollections
of my life.
" A few months only have elapsed since my Brethren and
myself had the honour of meeting you for the purpose of lay-
ing the foundation Stone of a College dedicated to the moral
then:certainlys t professorsuc
ti same
al
I nbinee
and intellectual improvement of that portion of our
and
dtive sub-
mtol t:oe purposes,trlleegr3aitainhfnyimia
fundamental principles
9tlo.oru
j e c t s , who are
tgrnidnetedovdeoatrti
nestduFt
oet
Faith.
teat, /en:.
let
ehllAe /igti grheoioatint
g considerations,
object
ciitv. ao, :out
omfl
rani
now assembled to perform a similar ceremony, for thewe. are
te, . Religious
bn ymto Sciencestehbn the
active carried
opinions, yet
yuentdaesr
souncehr
aoot',
consummation, withoutdistinction
verasd
desired, cannot, under existing circumstances, he expected,
you will still rejoice with me in the prospect afforded us of be-
holding the steady march of instruction among the Native po-
pulation, and their approach to that state of amelioration, to
which the efforts now making for their improvement must ne-
cessarily
inhabitants o;
is;malratiltriszletehatehdefashion of certain clasnc in our own country to
effectual
oppressed people—in both calssesn,aitn relationthia asto ath
cs:
tele(griaavded and
and its European subjects.
in which we are now, and have,
moral scale of that population, and gaged, perfecting, as it does, Isupported,
k ,a
itsth e
is ceremony
n former occasions, been en-active and benevolent aid?ofltih,aheseysotvemernfmorentht,e ealepvaalptiaobnleinrefu-
tation of the foul charge
: could lie take a moren was there ever an instance
known of the oppressor enlighteningthe minds of the op-
pressedpower, particularly when that
power wholly derives its supe-
riority from the moral and scientific attainments of the op-
pressors ?
" You will, I am persuaded, agree with me, that the charge
is altogether at variance with '
I truth ; and that so far from the
native inhabitants being
(wits European subjects, oppressed either by the Government
that nothing is nearer the heart and
anxious desire of both, titan that they may be raised from the

state of moral degradation into which the greater mass of the
people confessedly are sunk ; and that being so raised, they
may be enabled to judge of, anti duly to appreciate the ad-
vantages which, under a just, free, and enlightened Govern-
ment, it is their privilege to enjoy in common with ourselves.
" But not further to dwell on that subject, I shall proceed,
as it may reasonably be expected of me, to say something of
the origin, progress, and present state of the Institution to
which the ceremony of this evening has been exclusively di-
rected.
The. Maliominedan Madrissa was founded by Warren
Hastings in the year 1781, principally, but not exclusively,
for the instruction of young Students in the Mahommedan
Law, and it would appear, from the documents, to which I have
had access, that IT WAS FOR A CONSIDERABLE 'TIME EN-
TIRELY SUPPORTED AT THE EXPENCE OF, AND SUPER-
INTENDED BY, THAT DISTINGUISHED INDIVIDUAL.—
Befcre, however, Mr. Hastings left India, the Government,
approving highly of the object and principles of the establish-
ment, relieved Mr. Hastings of this burthen upon his private-
means ; and, adopting the Madrissa as a Government Institu-
tion, set aside an Endowment of lands in a neighbouring
Pergunnah, exclusively for its support.
'While Mr. Hastings was in India, this object of his bene-
volence, ' this child' I may say, of his adoption ; had the be-
nefit of his fostering care and superintendence ; but when lie
retired from the country and from the Government, that su-
perintendance must have ceased and the usual consequences of
neglect ensued; for by a report made in 1791 by a Gentleman
especially deputed to visit the Institution, it was found to 'be,
in a state of complete disorganization. In consequence of this
report, a series of regulations for the good order and better go-
vernment of the College was framed, and a Committee of supers
intendence was nominated to give effect to them. The Com-
mittee however, was composed of Gentlemen who, with all
the desire and inclination in the world to promote the interest*
of • the Institution, were without the means and the leisure to
obtain the information necessary to enable them to exercise an
efficient control over its proceedings, and in consequence it cons
tinued, as it had long been, under the superintendence of the'
Native Head Preceptor, until 1818, when a further enquiry.
into the objects and proceedings. of the establishment took,
place, which led in the following year to the introduction of an
improved system of management, by the appointment of a
Secretary to the Committee with authority to exercise a per-.
sonal controul over the details of the Madrissa.
From this period, not only was the system of management
changed, but the sphere of duty and course of duty important-
ly enlarged—the consequences io the Institution have been most
beneficial, and in nothing more so than in its having diffused
an improved spirit both among the professors and the students
and here Gentlemen, I gladly seize the opportunity, afforded
me of saying, that the Institution is not more indebted to the
advantages to which I have just alluded—viz. the introduc-
tion of an improved system—than to the persevering exertions,
the eminent ability, the extensive acquirements anti concilia-
tory manners of its Learned Superintendant—Dr. Lumsden.
" Among the many arts which distinguished that part of
Mr. HASTING's invaluable life which passed in the service of
' his country in India, none perhaps exceeded in wisdom of con-
ception and benevolence of design, the establishment of the
Mahomedan Madrissa ; for as the decline of learning had ac-
companied that of the Mogul Empire in India, Mr. Hastings
saw the necessity of making some effort for the revival of li-
terature ; and of endeavouring not only to promote, by such
an Institution as this, the growth and extension of liberal know-
ledge, but to rear up a successive stock of men possessing re-
spectable acquirements in the Science of Jurisprudence ; and
higher qualifications than those at that time employed in the
Civil and Criminal Courts of the country.
" That wealth and knowledge have long been on the de-
cline amongst the Mahomedan subjects of the British Govern-
ment, cannot have escaped the observation of any one in the
slightest degree acquainted with the history of our dominion in
this country ; and to their ignorance and extreme poverty must
be ascribed, the want of public schools, and the absence, I may
say, of the means of private tuition. , If this be a correct state-
ment of the present condition of the Mahomedans, are not we,
who may be said to have been instrumental in reducing them to
it,—are not we, who boast of our wealth, our energies, and our
numerous Benevolent Institutions, and who boast moreover of
having conferred so many benefits on, and done so much for
other countries, in duty bound to do a common act of justice, t°
discharge a debt of gratitude to the inhabitants of this ? And
if we acknowledge as a favoured nation, pre-eminent obligations
to the Almighty Architect of the universe--If we acknowledge,
as a favoured people an accumulation of earthly blessings,
which
none, I may say, have enjoyed in the same degree—lf we ac-
knowledge all this, let the sincerity of our • acknowledgments
manifest itself in our 4 as freely giving, as we have freely re-
ceived.'
`•No part of the world perhaps has been so stationary in
morals as Asia,—there have been repeated revolutions in I,!*
various Governments, repeated changes in its political relatio°'
but no actual ones in the moral condition of its numerous pont"
s, ............... ..a,seseuieut, or decline, in thc scale of civilization.
" But thanks to the founders and supporters of this and sim;-
lar institutions, the dawn of a brighter day has burst upon the
benighted nations of India : sensible of the advantages which
we experience from the diffusion of knowledge, we are at length
exerting ourselves, in every possible way, to spread its light and
influence among those who have become subject to us, either by
the fortune of war, or the accession of a willing allegiance : and
if the Government of India has been committed to us in trust
for the benefit of the governed, let us not abuse the trust. Let
us neither suppose, nor act in any way to favour such a suppO-
sition, that the natives of India were suffered to fall into their
present condition, that we might neglect and despise them."
" Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Committee
of Public Instruction,
Having so recently addressed you, and on a similar occasion
must be my apology for having so little to say to you on the
present. It has been peculiarly gratifying to my Brethren,
and myself to have assisted at, and witnessed, the ceremony
of this evening; and sincerely do we hope that on the foun
dation stone which has just been laid, an edifice mei
rise in order, harmony, and beauty—may it be orna-
mental to the metropolis and beneficial to those, and not
to those only, who may receive instruction within its walls ;
and may the Institution, Gentlemen, as we are persuaded it
will, while it has the advantage of your superintendence, fulfil
the sanguine hopes of the community, the benevolent intentions
of the Local Government, and the just expectations of the Le-
gislature.
" Right Worshipful Masters, Wardens, and Brethren,
" I persuade myself, from the flattering attention with which
you have heard me, and the becoming seriousness with which
you regarded the ceremony, that you view the occasion as one
of more than ordinary interest. We have had the gratification
of adding this evening another stone to the grand arch of moral
impovement—and as endeavours, which we pray may be bless-
ed in the end, should be commenced with appeals for the Name
blessing—let us implore the Almighty Architect of the Uni-
verse to bless the structure which is about to 'be raised for the •
diffusion of knowledge. Let us implore his blessing also on the'
Government, which thus does its part in promoting the happi-,
ness of the millions subject to its rule—on the Committee et .
Public Instruction, and on those whose duty it may be, or ie,
to afford instruction to those under them, in this anti all other
seminaries of useful learning—on the people for whose benefit
all this is intended—and lastly, on the fraternity which has
thus afforded its glad concurrence in this interesting cere-
mony."

THE ADDRESS OF J. 11. HARRINGTON, EsCL. rarstrmWr
OF THE COMMITTEE or PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, TO
THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER.
" Right Worshipful Grand Master,-
" The Committee of Public Instruction desires me to el-
press to you, and to the Gentlemen who have- assisted you laying the foundation of a New Edifice for the Calcutts,
Madrissa' their cordial thanks for your attendance, and for
the satisfactory manner in which you have performed this so-
lemnity.
" They further desire me to inform you that they will hay 3
great pleasure in communicating to the Hight •lion. tke
vemor.General your very able discharge of the trust com-
mitted to you by his Lordship on this interesting oc-
casion.

" It cannot be necessary to offer any lengthened remarks
upon the nature and objects of the Madrissa, in addition
to what you have so fully stated in your discourse, but as,
on a recent similar occurrence, it was, 1 believe, expected,
that Ishould say something on the part of the Committee whoin
I have the honour to represent, exclusive of the acknowledgment
to which I then confined myself, I feel it incumbent on me to
occupy your time for a few moments.
" The existing Moosulman College was, as you have men-
tioned, founded by Mr. Hastings about forty years since. Its
primary object (as explained in a public minute recorded bi
the Founder) was to provide the means of liberal education for
the sons of respectable Mahornedans, who, under the political
revolutions that had taken place in the Government of India,
might want the resources which they formerly enjoyed for the
maintenance and tuition of their families. Another object, and
perhaps the first in importance, was to furnish the requisite in-
struction to a certain number of Monlavies or learned Mallow-
medans, who might fill the station of Law Officers in the Local.
Courts of Judicature.
" Both these objects have been obtained in a considerable
degree, if not to the fullest extent anticipated. Several young
men who received their education in this College, have subse-
quently distinguished themselves as public officers, especialif
in the law department, and if there have been obstacles; - from
unforeseen circumstances, which fora time impeded the success
of the institution, these are now removed.. Experience bail
taught the best mode of conducting the affairs and males 01

the 11Iadrissa, Partly under Native, partly Linda. European su-
perintendence, and the reforms which have been introduced by
The present learned Superintendent, Dr. Lumsden, promise to
be attended with the most beneficial results.
" The late public Examination, which shewed a consider-
able advancement in every branch of ordinary study, and a
very creditable commencement in mathematics, has indeed
already evinced a material improvement in the College ; and
the measures in contemplation, when the building, of which
You have now laid the foundation, shall be completed, for
adding an elementary school or class, with a view to provide
.• More effectually against existing defects in the means of educa-
tion for the young men of the Illahommedan persuasion, will,
it is hoped, render instruction given to students in the Ma-
drissa more efficient than it has ever yet been, or could be, in
the building hitherto appropriated to it.
" I will only add that arrangements have been sanctioned for
enabling such of the students as may desire it, to acquire a con-
versance with tie English language—that a native translator,
capable of translating English books into Arabic and Persian,
has been attached to the College ; and that it is proposed by the
Committee of Public Instruction, in accordance with the benig-
nant desire of Government to promote the diffusion of Euro-
pean knowledge among the whole of its native subjects, to
adopt all practicable means of introducing amongst the teachers
literature.,'
students of the Madrissa, a taste for English science and
tuerature."

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