He travelled to Constantinople, passing through India and Cairo on his way there. He stayed in Cairo long enough to meet a young student who would become a devoted disciple of his, Muhammad 'Abduh. He entered Star of East masonic lodge on 7 July 1868 while staying in Cairo. His membership number was 1355. He also founded a masonic lodge in Cairo and became its first Master. He had been excluded from the Grand Lodge of Scotland due to accusations of atheism and he joined the French Grand Orient.