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I was initiated into Freemasonry by
my father Wor. Bro. M. C. Cunnan. I was passed to the
degree of Fellowcraft and raised to the Sublime Degree
of Master Mason. But during all these degrees I understood
nothing. I was dazed and could neither follow the ritual
nor understand what was told by he Brethren who gave
me the several Charges. I was like a child who sees
light but could not focus or record or understand what
it is.
In the following year I was appointed
and invested as one of the Stewards of the Lodge. This
appointment gave me the opportunity to know the other
brethren of the Lodge by name and move with them freely.
In a meeting in that year Bro. Jr. Deacon was absent.
Bro. D. of C asked me to act as Jr. Deacon of the Lodge.
I had to tell him that I was not prepared for the post.
He gave me the advice that as a Steward my job was not
only at the festive board but also in the Lodge, that
I should come prepared to serve in as many offices as
possible, such that I will not fail in the confidence
the Lodge had placed in me. This gave me very great
encouragement. From that day I took to Freemasonry more
seriously and religiously. For every meeting I used
to go to the Lodge well prepared to be IG or Jn or Sr.
Deacon. In many meetings I acted either as IG, JD or
SD. I felt very happy when senior brethren congratulated
me on my readiness. This was the first and best experience
and the first lesson I learnt in Freemasonry, "Be
Prepared". It taught me to give support to brethren
in the Lodge when some officer was absent. From that
date to this day I take every opportunity to be the
Steward of a Lodge where you really serve the brethren
and increase fellowship. In my opinion the Steward are
"Blessed Brethren" who have all the opportunity
to serve both in the temple and outside.
When I was appointed as J. D. and I
conducted the candidates, the D of C trained me to move
and conduct in straight lines and turn by correct squaring,
keeping steps with the candidate. This regularly done,
it has become a habit with me to move only in straight
lines and walk erect. In this office I learnt the full
significance of entering the temple for initiation,
in the manner prescribed, poor and penniless and blind.
This made me understand how we enter this world full
of hazards and with nothing you can claim as your own
at your birth into this world. Your mother accepted
you with love and effection and brought you up. Similarly
Freemasonry receives used and brings us up.
I was appointed Senior Deacon of the
Lodge. I conducted the candidates in Passing and raising.
They have seen the light of freemasonry to a certain
extent. In this period I was given the opportunity to
explain the working tools of I. Only when I was learning
this portion of the ritual I began to understand the
true meaning of masonry. In this passage we are advised
how to utilise the 24 hours of the day to the best result.
Even now whenever and wherever I see a 24" gauge
I remember the symbolic application of it to our morals.
The application of the common gavel (force of conscience
) is so aptly explained. I am sure no brother who has
understood the lectures of freemasonry properly can
act in a manner other than the correct. The chisel points
out the advantages of education. This alludes to the
rigid treatment you undergo in academic education and
wordly experience, the result being, you get transformed
from an ordinary rough irregular shaped stone to a perfect
ashlar which alone can be useful in a sound and stable
building i.e. 'Society'.
Only when I was a Deacon I could understand
the meaning of the Charge after initiation. The importance
of V.S.L. is explained. I feel that Freemasonry is the
most practical and useful training a man can get, to
become a fit member of society. I t taught me to believe
in God, do justice and be truthful. It teaches us that
Secrecy, Fidelity and Obedience ware essentials of human
existence and practical way of life.
When I was explaining the Tracing Board
I felt that our Lodge is a world which is unique with
all the good qualities necessary for a perfect existence.
I felt that if we practice in the outside world the
morals that are taught in the Temple every mason will
be a strong pillar of support to the society in general.
The Second degree working tools explain
the importance of morality, equality, justness and uprightness
of our life and actions. Many times when I was alone
I used to recite the passages of working tools and tracing
board of the II degree and think over it. It made me
repent for my irregularities in my past and gave me
the moral strength to assure myself not to do it in
the future. Above all things Freemasonry has taught
me patience for, until after about three or four years
of my initiation I could not get the meaning of Freemasonry.
Only when I was given the opportunity to study the precious
addresses to the candidates that the true into my mind.
In the III the passage are of very
high philosophy dealing with morality and teaches us
not to fear for it is inevitable, and to face it with
courage, and also informs us that our actions in this
world are always recorded by the Almighty God. We may
escape punishment in this world for our misdeeds but
we are not spared in the Grand Lodge above. In this
sense I could say that Freemasonry explains the essence
of all religions in a very concise palatable and easily
understandable way provided we have the ear to hear
the eye to see, the heart to understand, the mind to
record and the hand to execute.
When the Lodge is closed we meet on
the level. This is not a farce. To a great extent, a
majority of Masons follow this. It needs courage to
meet others on the level because of one's personal position
in the outer world and worldly possessions. But a true
mason must practice this virtue without hesitation or
regret.
In Freemasonry many moral virtues are
mentioned for us to practice. Faith, hope, charity,
temperance, fortitude, prudence, justice, virtue, honour
and mercy. A true mason must have faith in masonry and
endeavour to build his morality with a charitable mind.
He should practice temperance, fortitude, prudence and
justice. All these virtues will bring Honour and God's
mercy will be showered on a Freemason when he proves
himself a true Freemason.
Freemasonry to me is a great science
and religion which cannot be practiced all at a time
; nor can it change one into a perfect Freemason overnight.
Hence we have many regular steps in the rituals which
inform us that perfection could be reached only step
by step when continuously pursued. Masonry teachers
us that keen observation and regular practice alone
helps one to achieve perfection. In the short period
of my masonic career these are the few points I could
learn and remember to express.
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