Birth of a learned society: Origin and early years of Bethune Society
The following historical account of the origin of Bethune Society is taken from ‘The Proceedings of the Bethune Society for the Sessions 1859–60, 1860–61’. The full report can be accessed here
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In pursuance of a circular issued by Dr. Mouat, Secretary of the Medical (College and of the Government Council of Education, a meeting of native gentlemen was held in the Theatre of the Medical College, on Thursday, 11th December 1851. Dr. Mouat having been called to the chair, the proceedings of the meeting were opened by him. He began by explaining the objects which he proposed in calling together the gentlemen present. He took a brief review of the nature and object of the societies already existing in Calcutta — referring particularly to the Asiatic and the Agricultural Societies; and pointed out the great necessity of devising some means of bringing the educated natives more into personal contact with each other, for purposes less ambitious, but probably not less useful than those of the institutions already named.
He dwelt upon the large amount of good that had been found to result from such associations, when properly conducted, in the Universities and principal cities of England and Scotland; and indicated how much more such means of mental improvement and intellectual recreation were needed in this country, where, from the very constitution of native society and the social customs of the people, even the private relations of individuals and families were necessarily much restricted.
He went on to sketch the plan, simple and concise, which he thought best suited for the end in view ; dwelt carefully on the absolute necessity of excluding the subjects of religion and politics from the operations of the Institution ; and concluded by proposing to the meeting the establishment of a Society for the objects which he had so clearly propounded. With characteristic generosity he also proposed, for one year, to bear the whole expense of organizing and conducting the Institution.
After a lengthened conversation, in which Babu Debendranath Tagore, Dr. Chuckerbutty, Dr. Sprenger, Rev. Mr. Long and others took a part, it was unanimously resolved, that “ A Society be established for the consideration and discussion of questions connected with Literature and Science.” In order to perpetuate the name of the Honorable Mr. Bethune, Legislative Member of the Supreme Council, then lately deceased, and to commemorate his great service and boundless liberality in promoting the cause of native female education, and native improvement generally, it was also resolved that the newly formed Institution should be denominated “The Bethune Society.”
The following being the gentlemen who first enrolled their names as members of the Bethune Society are entitled to honourable mention in this place —
J. F. Mouat, M. D.
Pundit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
The Rev. J. Long
Major G. T. Marshall
Rev. K. M. Banerjea
Dr. Sprenger
Dr Chuckerbutty
L. Chat, Esq.
Babu Ramgopal Ghose
Babu Radhanath Sikdar
Babu Ramchandra Mittra
Babu Kylas Chandra Bose
Babu Hurromohun Chatterjea.
Babu Jugadisnath Roy
Babu Nobin Chandra Mittra
Babu Ganendra Mohan Tagore
Babu Peary Mohan Sirkar
Babu Debendranath Tagore
Babu Peary Chand Mittra.
Babu Russick Lal’Sein.
Babu Prasunna Kumar Mittra
Babu Gopal Chandra Butt
Babu Hurry Chandra Dutt
Babu Dukhinaranjun Mukerjea
Dr. Mouat was then chosen President, and Babu Peary Chand Mittra, Secretary. The President and Secretary were next requested to draw up a code of rules for the future conduct and guidance of the Society. These rules, as subsequently presented and approved of, were the following
I. — All educated persona interested in the objects of the Society are eligible as members.
II. — Candidates for election as Members shall be proposed and seconded at one Meeting, and balloted for at the succeeding Meeting; a simple mujority being sufficient to secure the election of the candidate.
III. — The Society shall hold ordinary Monthly Meetings on the Second Thursday of each month from October to March at 7 p.m., and from April to September at 8 p. m., and an Annual General Meeting in the month of January.
IV. — The business of the ordinary Monthly Meeting shall be conducted in the following order : —
1 . Reading of the Proceedings of the last Meeting for Confirmation.
2. Election of Members.
3. General Proceedings.
4. Delivery of Discourses.
5. Remarks on the Discourses by any Member present.
V. — Discourses (written or verbal) in English, Bengali or Urdu, on Literary or Scientific subjects, may be delivered at the Society’s Meetings, but none treating of religion or politics shall be admissible.
VI. — -The Society shall have a President, a Secretary, a Collector, and a Committee of Papers, composed of three Members, who shall be subject to annual election.
VII. — The written Discourses after they are read shall be the property of the Society, and the Committee of Papers may, if they think fit, cause a selection of them to be printed or published, with the concurrence of the author.
VIII. — The Committee of Papers shall be at liberty to return any paper for the purpose of being printed in any journal, if they see sufficient cause for doing so, upon the application of the author.
IX. — The presence of fifty persons shall be deemed sufficient and constitute a Meeting for the reading of discourses, &c.
X. — The Members of the Society shall pay a subscription of One Rupee half-yearly in advance, to meet the expense of lighting, and of printing the Transactions and Proceedings.
XI. — No Member shall be entitled to receive copies of the Society’s Transactions who has not paid up all Subscriptions due by him to the Society.
A circular was addressed to gentlemen in the Mofussil, requesting their aid and co-operation. Several of these very soon replied— highly approving of the formation of the Society and wishing to become members of it. At Dacca also a Society was formed to which was accorded the privilege of calling itself, “ The Branch Bethune Society of Dacca.”
The President took early occasion of noticing the liberality of the Press towards the Society; and felt assured that they would still kindly render the aid to be sought for. This has proved no ill grounded assurance : for, up to the present time, the Press has, without exception or variation, continued to manifest towards the Society a liberality that challenges the admiration and gratitude of its members.
The minutes of the Society show that, under the able and zealous Presidency of Dr. Mouat, it rapidly increased in numbers and usefulness. Lectures were delivered at the regular monthly meetings on a great variety of interesting and important subjects; and very often, the delivery of the Lecture was followed by very, animated extemporaneous discussion. At the close of its first year, 1852, the President reported that the Society numbered one hundred and thirty-one members, of whom one hundred and six were natives. It was then also resolved that the office-bearers, or executive staff of the Society should consist of a President, two Vice-Presidents, one of whom should he a native, a Committee of papers of three members, a Secretary and a Collector; and that the members of the Society should pay a subscription of one rupee half-yearly, in to meet the expense of lighting and printing of the proceedings and transactions.
At the close of the second year, 1853, the President reported that the Society numbered one hundred and forty, of whom one hundred and nineteen were natives. The meetings had been extremely well attended, and it was believed that much useful and ‘interesting information, and materials for thought and reflection had been scattered abroad, where they were likely to produce some fruit. The experience of the two past years had amply proved that the want of intellectual communion and recreation was strongly felt by the rising generation of educated natives. It was hoped and believed that this craving desire for knowledge and readiness to seek it, would not be allowed to die from inaction , and that the wealthy and influential members of the community, Native and European, would lend their aid to the furtherance of an object which could not be matter of indifference to any one really interested in the welfare and progress of the natives of Bengal. Education, in the existing state of native Society, could only accomplish half its appointed work, and by no means the most important half, so long as the moral training and discipline which were inseparably connected with it in Europe could not be fully applied in India. Hence the great importance of all measures calculated to bring the educated classes into harmonious contact with each other, and to infuse into them a taste for intellectual and moral pursuits.
On the 12th January, Dr. Mouai resigned his office and Hodgson Pratt Esq. C. S. was chosen President of the Society. As Dr. Mouat was soon to embark for England, it was unanimously resolved, that, in consideration of the many obligations which the Society owed to its founder, a subscription be raised among the members for the purpose of procuring a suitable token of respect, to be presented to him before his embarkation, For this purpose a sum of Rs. 729 was actually collected. With this sum a suitable memorial was procured, and presented with an appropriate address.
At the annual meeting in January, 1855, the President reported that during the preceding year (1854) an addition of eighty-eight new members had been made, which confirmed him in the belief that the Society was daily growing in importance and usefulness ; and that the object contemplated in its formation, as well as the hopes and expectations entertained of its future prosperity, were in the course of being realized.
It was also noted that besides the lectures and discourses at the ordinary monthly meetings Mr. James Hume (one of the Magistrates of Calcutta), had afforded a highly intellectual treat, on two successive occasions, by his reading of the “ Merchant of Venice” and Colonel Goodwyn, by his able and interesting lecture on the “ Union of Science, Industry and Arts,” with a view to the formation of a School of Industrial Art and Design. The meetings at these and the other lectures were generally crowded. The subjects treated of were debated with considerable ability, and with a liberality and intelligence which reflected no ordinary credit on those who took a share in the discussions., Mr. Pratt having vacated his office, Colonel Goodwyn was elected President of the Society.
Throughout the year, the business of the Society proceeded much in the usual way. Seventy-seven new members were added; so that at the beginning of 1856, the number amounted to 281. The Society had issued the second No. of its selections, consisting of Dr. Chevers’ Lecture on “ The Laws of Public Health,” and Babu Nobin Kisto Bose’s Discourse “ On the School of Industry and Art.” The Rev. Mr. Bellew, Chaplain, had entertained the members with “Readings from Shakspeave.”
The Society had been indebted to the Government of Bengal and of the North Western Provinces for Selections of Papers published from the Records of these Governments ; to the Agricultural and other Societies for copies of their Reports ; and to individuals for different publications. A proposal to increase the annual subscription from 2 to 4 Rupees, was made and withdrawn as inexpedient. Colonel Goodwyn was re-elected President of the Society; but in the month of May, chiefly on account of health, he felt constrained to tender his resignation. Bedford was then chosen President in his stead; but, within a few months, this excellent and philanthropic man was suddenly removed by death. This sad event was officially communicated to the Society on the 13th November, by Dr Chevers in an address, teeming with eloquent thought, and pathos eloquently expressed
At the annual meeting held in January, 1857, Dr. Chevers presided and reviewed the proceedings of the past year. The numerical strength of the members bad steadily increased ; twenty-three additions having been made to the list. It appeared, however, that many had failed to pay up their subscriptions ; so that there was an accumulating balance against them. It was agreed that all members who had failed to pay their subscriptions should be informed by circular, that if their arrears were not paid up in full within two months, their names should be struck off from the list of members. A resolution which had been passed at the previous annual meeting, rendering all new members chargeable with an entrance or admission fee of two rupees, had been found so “ extremely distasteful” that it was agreed to rescind it, and enact that every member of the Society should be admitted to its meetings by a ticket renewed half yearly, upon the payment of six months’ subscription in advance. Among the Lectures for the past year was the celebrated George Thompson; while Dr, Halleur favoured the Society with several lectures on Physical Science.
Mr. James Hume was elected President of the Society for 1857. At the annual meeting, in January, 1858, a further accession of forty-one members was reported, of whom sixteen were Europeans and twenty- five natives. The third and fourth No. of the Society’s selections had been published during the year. The President had also, on three several occasions, favoured them with readings from Shakespeare
Mr. Hume was re-elected President. During the year (1858) he humoured the Society with readings from “ Marmion” and “The Lady of the Lake;’’ but, owing to ill health, he was often unable to attend the monthly meetings. At the annual meeting in January, 1859, Mr. Hume, on account of his able and zealous services, was re-elected. The outstanding balance of unrealized subscriptions, had now amounted to 1,458 ; though the sum due from each member was only two rupees per annum. From various causes the attendance of members had of late seriously diminished. This, of course, indicated a great decline in the interest once felt in the proceedings of the Society. The frequent illness and necessary absence of the President had, doubtless, much to do with this painful and unsatisfactory state of things ; since the prosperity of an Institution like that of the Bethune Society must always depend greatly on the influence, activity and energy of its President. During his lamented absence, and unfitness for active exertion, great credit is due to the other office-bearers of the Society for their manifold efforts ; paticularly to Dr, Chevers who had been repeatedly chosen as one of the Vice-Presidents and to Babus Ram Chunder Mittra and Hurrymohon Chatterjea, who, from the outset had been annually re-elected as Secretary and Treasurer respectively. But, in spite of every effort, the number that attended meetings continued steadily to dwindle down, and the general interest in the proceedings steadily to abate. The great majority of the members never attended at all, and declined to pay up their small arrears of subscriptions. In April there was no meeting from non-attendance of members ; and in June, no lecture. The President had become so unwell that he was constrained suddenly to embark for England
In these adverse circumstances it almost appeared as if the Society must lapse into total extinction. Even if this had been its fate, it would not have existed in vain. A Society which had succeeded in bringing together, monthly, on a common arena of improved Literature and Science, and for mutual intellectual culture and rational recreation, the very elite of the educated native community, and blending them in friendly union with leading members of the Civil, Military and Medical services of Government, of the Calcutta bar, of the Missionary body, and other non-official classes ; a Society which, in the course of a few years, in addition to constant monthly discussions on subjects of varied interest, alike theoretical and practical, could call forth so many valuable and edifying Lectures, as the Minute Book of the Secretary so faithfully exhibits - — such a Society would have done well and deserved well of all the true friends of India
The older members, however, were very loath to allow their minds to be reconciled to the extinction of a Society, which, for years, had so greatly prospered, and so long promised to become the ornament and the glory, the bulwark and defence of all who were confederate in the noble attempt to inaugurate a new and better era. They felt that very much must depend on their securing a President who commanded the respect of Europeans and Natives, and who would throw himself heartily into the arduous work of resuscitating a body which was fast sinking into inanition. In the exigency, it occurred to some of the remaining office-bearers and leading members to apply to Dr. Duff, though for various reasons which it is needless now to specify, he had never joined the Society as a member. In private conference with that gentleman, he at once declared that the state of his health and multifarious duties made him shrunk from the onerous but honorable task proposed to him; though his deep interest in native improvement was enough to induce him to encounter temporarily any extra personal exertion for the attainment of a worthy object. There were, however, certain conditions in which alone he could venture to undertake the heavy burden. What these were may best appear from the following extract from the Minutes of the meeting held on the 9th June, 1859:
“ Present, — Dr. N. Chevers, Vice-President, in the chair.” “The chairman announced that as there was no Lecture for that evening, the business of the meeting would be devoted to the election of a President, and to the proposal of notices of motions for modifying certain of the Society’s rules. He proposed that Mr. James Hume having been compelled by severe illness to leave Calcutta without having it in bis power to communicate with the Society upon the choice of his successor, it becomes necessary that a President should be elected in his room. Proposed by the chairman and seconded by the Secretary, that the Chair be offered to the Rev. Dr. A. Duff, carried by acclamation.”
“ The chairman then gave notice of a motion that, at the next meeting of the Society, he should propose that Rule three should be revised and altered, so as to ensure a vacation during the hot weather and the rains “
“ The Chairman also gave notice of a motion that, at next meeting, be should propose that Rule Five should be thus altered ; “ the grand and distinctive object of the Society being to promote among the educated natives of Bengal a taste for Literary and Scientific pursuits, discourses (written or verbal) in English, Bengali or Urdu, may be delivered at the Society’s meetings on any subject which may be fairly included within the range of general Literature and Science.’ ”
At the meeting held on the 14th July, the first of these motions was put and carried by a majority. But a good deal of irregular discussion having afterwards unexpectedly arisen on its merits, it was finally conceded, ex gratia, that the matter might be reconsidered at next meeting. For that meeting also it was agreed that the other motion of Dr. Chevers should he postponed. At the monthly meeting held on the 11th August, both these motions were eventually carried, as will be seen from the following extracts from Minute Book:-
“ “Dr. Chevers then brought forward a motion that Rule 5th should be altered thus : “ The grand and distinctive object of the Society being to promote among the educated natives of Bengal a taste for literary and scientific pursuits, discourses • written or verbal, in English, Bengali, or Urdu, may be delivered at the Society’s meetings, on any subject which may be fairly included within the range of general Literature and Science.”
By the Mover and the President, it was explained at considerable length, and with great emphasis, that the design of this resolution, was not to effect any change whatever in the organic constitution, or fundamental objects of the Society, as originally formed. The purpose of all who were concerned in its welfare and prosperity, was to maintain those inviolate. However important in themselves, and in proper time and place, the subjects of contemporary politics and controversial theology as debated among the different classes of religionists, — it was felt by all that an institution, like that of the Bethune Society, did not furnish the fitting arena for discussions on the topics which these involve. But the term “ religion” was not restricted to what is ordinarily understood as a special revelation from God, or a Divinely revealed and consequently authoritative system of faith and worship, such as, with or without satisfactory evidence, large classes of mankind believe their respective forms of faith and worship to be. It was also constantly applied to what is understood by Natural Religion, or a belief in the being and perfections of God, the Creator of all things, and the Moral Governor of the Universe. This being a subject on which all were professedly agreed, it was never understood in practice, that a proper allusion to it, on any fitting occasion, was prohibited. It was religion in the former sense, about which members differed, and not religion in the latter sense, about which all were substantially agreed, which it was the design of the original law to exclude from discussion by lecturers and speakers in the Bethune Society. But to many, the original law, us hitherto worded, appeared, if strictly interpreted, to forbid allusion even to the being of a God, or to any indications which the works of Creation might exhibit of his wisdom, power, or goodness. Hence it was that the Society, in various influential quarters, came to be stigmatised as a Godless or Atheistic Society ; and many men of high intelligence and tender consciences were, in consequence, positively prevented from joining its ranks. Since therefore, such an interpretation, though seemingly consonant with the wording of the original rule, did not appear to be accordant with the real sentiments and design of its framers, or with the actual practice of the members in times past, it had been felt that, by the retention of it in its primary form, the Society was doing injustice to itself, injuring its good name, and excluding an accession of influential membership. It was to obviate these and such like objections and difficulties, and if possible, ensure the countervailing advantages, that a slight change had now been proposed, not in the real intent and substance, but only in the wording or verbal expression of the original law. Dr. Chevers’ motion having been seconded by Babu Kylas Chandra Bose, was put to the vote, and carried.”
With the adoption of these resolutions, the Bethune Society terminated the first period of its existence, and was fairly projected upon its second.
