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In the eyes of God all men are born
equal. But due to unexplained factors inequality exists.
Some are fortunate to enjoy the blessings of God, while
others are less priveledged or handicapped. It is therefore
one of the unwritten laws of life that the halves should
share a portion of their God given blessings with their
less fortunate brethren and discharge a moral debt to
the community at large. Charity, the mother of a Freeman's
heart and this aspect is poignantly and dramatically
illustrated in the N E. Charge of the Initiation Ceremony.
True charity expects nothing in return and is given
without any kind of attachment. The left hand knows
not what the right hand doeth. Neighter should it be
associated with personal publicity or to satisfy one's
ego. Charity when photographed loses its soul. Charity
is not confined to giving alms alone. Kind words of
consolation, fogiving the fault or a brother, attending
on the sick and needy, donation of blood and bequething
of eyes are all acts of sublime charity.
Humility is another noble virtue becoming
a Freemason, together with tolerance, piety and simplicity.
The greatest truths in this world are the simplest and
so are the greatest men. Masonic education unfolds several
moral and social virtues through the media of symbolic
illustrations, chargs and exhortations, and these tenets
find complete conformity with the Holy Scriptures of
every Religion.
Apart from the moral and social virtues.
I wish to highlight some of the routine virtues, which
unfortunately have not received the importance they
deserve. Cordial and courteous behaviour, good order,
punctual attendance, respect for another's opinion,
avoiding harbouring of hatred, jealousy, ill feeling
towards others are all established norms of a civic
and disciplined personality, and serve as best letters
of recommendation for acceptance to any refined society.
Knowledge of freemasonry and familiarity with the rituals
alone will not necessarily make a good Mason. But to
live a mason, practise the social and moral virtues,
and render ourselves useful to mankind will surely identify
us as worthy and befitting members of a moral and ethical
society. In the present day materialistic world it cannot
be denied that a wide gap exists between precept and
practice. It surely lies within the compass of our attainment
to narrow the gap by our own conduct and performance.
"LIVE RESPECTED-DIE REGRETTED" These four
significant words sum up our Life's sojourn in this
mortal world.
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