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At the Annual Communication of the
Grand Lodge of India held at Mumbai on 22nd November
2008, M.W. the Grand Master formally released a Brochure
for the newly initiated candidate entitled “Welcome
to Freemasonry”.
This Brochure is intended to welcome
the newly initiated candidate in every Lodge to the
Masonic Fraternity, on behalf of M.W. the Grand Master
of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
of India. Apart from presenting every candidate on the
completion of his initiation, the Book of Constitutions,
the Regional Bye-laws and the Bye-Laws of the Lodge,
he should also be presented this Brochure along with
suitable observation by the Worshipful Master of the
Lodge. The front inner page of the Brochure must also
be duly filled by the Secretary of the Lodge in the
name of the candidate and countersigned by the Junior
Warden, Senior Warden and Worshipful Master before the
Brochure is presented to the candidate.
It has often come to notice that Lodges
do not have ready copies of the Book of Constitutions
and/or printed copies of the Bye-Laws of the Lodge for
being handed over to the candidate after his initiation
and in such cases the candidate is informed that these
will be given on a later date. Often this is not complied
with by the Lodges in many cases. It is strongly urged
that all Lodges must ensure that they have adequate
copies of the Book of Constitutions and printed copies
of the Bye-laws of the Lodge for being given to the
candidate on their initiation. Likewise a copy of this
Brochure must also invariably be presented to the candidate
on the date of his initiation at the appropriate stage.
The fact that the Brochure has been presented to the
candidate must also be recorded in the minutes of the
meeting.
For the present only 5 copies of the
Brochure are being sent to every Lodge. As and when
this is due to be exhausted Lodges must ask for more
copies of the Brochure. As the Brochure is intended
be distributed free of cost and is not intended for
wide circulation only 5 copies are being sent now. However,
if the Lodges wants more copies for being given to more
than 5 candidates, particularly to those who were initiated
within the last one year, they may ask for specific
number of additional copies for such distribution. Lodges
may however keep one copy if they so desire, for their
record and have it circulated among the members for
their perusal and return if they so desire.
With greetings,
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